Nontrapping Tunable Topological Photonic Memory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a high-speed, robust topological photonic memory that uses tunable Chern numbers in a honeycomb lattice system, enabling rapid, fault-tolerant data storage without trapping mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents a novel, tunable topological photonic memory design utilizing synthetic magnetic fields and Chern number control for scalable, high-speed optical data storage.

Findings

Supports GHz-range write speeds (~1-10 GHz)

Demonstrates stable data retention due to large energy gaps

Enables scalable multi-bit memory encoding

Abstract

We propose a novel topological photonic memory that encodes information through dynamically controllable Chern numbers in a two-band topological photonic system. Utilizing a honeycomb lattice photonic crystal, the memory leverages topologically protected edge states that remain robust against fabrication imperfections and environmental perturbations. By applying a synthetic time-dependent magnetic field, we achieve real-time tunability of the Chern number, enabling rapid and efficient memory switching without the need for light-trapping mechanisms. Our computational study evaluates critical performance metrics, including write speed, read stabilization time, energy gap stability, and nonadiabatic transition probabilities. The results demonstrate that the system supports GHz-range write speeds (approximately 1-10 GHz), with stable data retention due to the large energy gap between bands. The system enables scalable multi-bit memory encoding based on quantized Chern numbers and exhibits superior speed, fault tolerance, and robustness compared to conventional photonic memory architectures. This work introduces a scalable, high-speed, and nontrapping optical memory paradigm, paving the way for future applications in quantum information processing and optical communication technologies.