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Topological polaritons and photonic magic angles in twisted α-MoO3 bilayers

Author

Listed:
  • Guangwei Hu

    (National University of Singapore
    City University of New York)

  • Qingdong Ou

    (Monash University)

  • Guangyuan Si

    (Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility)

  • Yingjie Wu

    (Monash University)

  • Jing Wu

    (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research))

  • Zhigao Dai

    (Monash University
    China University of Geosciences)

  • Alex Krasnok

    (City University of New York)

  • Yarden Mazor

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Qing Zhang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Qiaoliang Bao

    (Monash University)

  • Cheng-Wei Qiu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Andrea Alù

    (City University of New York
    The University of Texas at Austin
    City University of New York)

Abstract

Twisted two-dimensional bilayer materials exhibit many exotic electronic phenomena. Manipulating the ‘twist angle’ between the two layers enables fine control of the electronic band structure, resulting in magic-angle flat-band superconductivity1,2, the formation of moiré excitons3–8 and interlayer magnetism9. However, there are limited demonstrations of such concepts for photons. Here we show how analogous principles, combined with extreme anisotropy, enable control and manipulation of the photonic dispersion of phonon polaritons in van der Waals bilayers. We experimentally observe tunable topological transitions from open (hyperbolic) to closed (elliptical) dispersion contours in bilayers of α-phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3), arising when the rotation between the layers is at a photonic magic twist angle. These transitions are induced by polariton hybridization and are controlled by a topological quantity. At the transitions the bilayer dispersion flattens, exhibiting low-loss tunable polariton canalization and diffractionless propagation with a resolution of less than λ0/40, where λ0 is the free-space wavelength. Our findings extend twistronics10 and moiré physics to nanophotonics and polaritonics, with potential applications in nanoimaging, nanoscale light propagation, energy transfer and quantum physics.

Suggested Citation

  • Guangwei Hu & Qingdong Ou & Guangyuan Si & Yingjie Wu & Jing Wu & Zhigao Dai & Alex Krasnok & Yarden Mazor & Qing Zhang & Qiaoliang Bao & Cheng-Wei Qiu & Andrea Alù, 2020. "Topological polaritons and photonic magic angles in twisted α-MoO3 bilayers," Nature, Nature, vol. 582(7811), pages 209-213, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:582:y:2020:i:7811:d:10.1038_s41586-020-2359-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2359-9
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    20. Ana I. F. Tresguerres-Mata & Christian Lanza & Javier Taboada-Gutiérrez & Joseph. R. Matson & Gonzalo Álvarez-Pérez & Masahiko Isobe & Aitana Tarazaga Martín-Luengo & Jiahua Duan & Stefan Partel & Mar, 2024. "Observation of naturally canalized phonon polaritons in LiV2O5 thin layers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
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