Fractal Polariton Topological Insulator

TL;DR

This paper presents a fractal array-based polariton topological insulator with self-similar geometry, supporting localized corner modes that can be controlled via nonlinear interactions and optical pumping, revealing new localization phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a novel fractal geometry for polariton topological insulators, demonstrating controllable localized modes and stability analysis in a self-similar, aperiodic structure.

Findings

Localized corner modes depend on fractal geometry and controllable distortions.

Nonlinear interactions enable bistability and control over mode profiles.

Fractal geometry induces unique localization scenarios in polariton HOTIs.

Abstract

We introduce higher order polariton topological insulator (HOTI) realized with fractal array of microcavity pillars arranged into Sierpinski gasket-like geometry. This system exhibiting self similarity in different generations, can support localized modes either in the external or multiple internal corners depending on the controllable distortion introduced into first generation structure. Nonlinear corner modes can be selectively excited in this dissipative system using resonant optical pumping. Strong polariton-polariton interactions lead to tilt of the resonance curves and bistability as the pump amplitude increases, allowing control over corner state profiles. Linear stability analysis illustrates dynamical stability of such states. Our results show how nontrivial topology manifests itself in self similar, aperiodic structures and indicate that fractal geometry may bring qualitatively new localization scenarios in polariton HOTIs.