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Non-Hermitian morphing of topological modes

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  • Wei Wang

    (Hong Kong Baptist University)

  • Xulong Wang

    (Hong Kong Baptist University)

  • Guancong Ma

    (Hong Kong Baptist University)

Abstract

Topological modes (TMs) are usually localized at defects or boundaries of a much larger topological lattice1,2. Recent studies of non-Hermitian band theories unveiled the non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), by which the bulk states collapse to the boundary as skin modes3–6. Here we explore the NHSE to reshape the wavefunctions of TMs by delocalizing them from the boundary. At a critical non-Hermitian parameter, the in-gap TMs even become completely extended in the entire bulk lattice, forming an ‘extended mode outside of a continuum’. These extended modes are still protected by bulk-band topology, making them robust against local disorders. The morphing of TM wavefunction is experimentally realized in active mechanical lattices in both one-dimensional and two-dimensional topological lattices, as well as in a higher-order topological lattice. Furthermore, by the judicious engineering of the non-Hermiticity distribution, the TMs can deform into a diversity of shapes. Our findings not only broaden and deepen the current understanding of the TMs and the NHSE but also open new grounds for topological applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Wang & Xulong Wang & Guancong Ma, 2022. "Non-Hermitian morphing of topological modes," Nature, Nature, vol. 608(7921), pages 50-55, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:608:y:2022:i:7921:d:10.1038_s41586-022-04929-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04929-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Qiuyan Zhou & Jien Wu & Zhenhang Pu & Jiuyang Lu & Xueqin Huang & Weiyin Deng & Manzhu Ke & Zhengyou Liu, 2023. "Observation of geometry-dependent skin effect in non-Hermitian phononic crystals with exceptional points," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Zhongming Gu & He Gao & Haoran Xue & Jensen Li & Zhongqing Su & Jie Zhu, 2022. "Transient non-Hermitian skin effect," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    3. Xuewei Zhang & Chaohua Wu & Mou Yan & Ni Liu & Ziyu Wang & Gang Chen, 2024. "Observation of continuum Landau modes in non-Hermitian electric circuits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Peng Xue & Quan Lin & Kunkun Wang & Lei Xiao & Stefano Longhi & Wei Yi, 2024. "Self acceleration from spectral geometry in dissipative quantum-walk dynamics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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