Multiple truly topological unidirectional surface magnetoplasmons at terahertz frequencies

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model for multiple topologically protected unidirectional surface magnetoplasmon modes at terahertz frequencies in a semiconductor-dielectric-semiconductor waveguide, enabling robust multimode interference and tunable phase modulation.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of two truly topological USMP modes in the upper non-trivial bandgap, enabling multimode interference and phase control in THz waveguides.

Findings

Supports two USMP modes (even and odd) in the topological bandgap

Realizes a frequency- and magnetically-tunable USMMI device

Identifies a unique index-near-zero odd USMP mode

Abstract

Unidirectional propagation based on surface magnetoplasmons (SMPs) has recently been realized at the interface of magnetized semiconductors. However, usually SMPs lose their unidirectionality due to non-local effects, especially in the lower trivial bandgap of such structures. More recently, a truly unidirectional SMP (USMP) has been demonstrated in the upper topological non-trivial bandgap, but it supports only a single USMP, limiting its functionality. In this work, we present a fundamental physical model for multiple, robust, truly topological USMP modes at terahertz (THz) frequencies, realized in a semiconductor-dielectric-semiconductor (SDS) slab waveguide under opposing external magnetic fields. We analytically derive the dispersion properties of the SMPs and perform numerical analysis in both local and non-local models. Our results show that the SDS waveguide supports two truly (even and odd) USMP modes in the upper topological non-trivial bandgap. Exploiting these two modes, we demonstrate unidirectional SMP multimode interference (USMMI), being highly robust and immune to backscattering, overcoming the back-reflection issue in conventional bidirectional waveguides. To demonstrate the usefullness of this approach, we numerically realize a frequency- and magnetically-tunable arbitrary-ratio splitter based on this robust USMMI, enabling multimode conversion. We, further, identify a unique index-near-zero (INZ) odd USMP mode in the SDS waveguide, distinct from conventional semiconductor-dielectric-metal waveguides. Leveraging this INZ mode, we achieve phase modulation with a phase shift from -$\pi$ to $\pi$. Our work expands the manipulation of topological waves and enriches the field of truly non-reciprocal topological physics for practical device applications.