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Measuring ℤ_2 invariants in dimer models and cross-coupled ladders with a programmable photonic molecule

by
  • Sashank Sridhar
  • Rohith Srikanth
  • Alexander Miller
  • Ferguson McComb
  • Avik Dutt
2025 arXiv: 2505.04151   (2025)
PDF barthel     ADSabs 2025arXiv250504151K     BibTeX

Topological models are characterized by a quantized topological invariant and provide a description of novel phases of matter that can exhibit localized edge states, corner modes, and chiral transport. We experimentally realize two 1-D lattices supporting symmetry-protected topology - the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) and extended SSH models using the synthetic frequency dimension of coupled fiber ring resonators. We introduce and experimentally demonstrate cascaded heterodyning as a technique for low-noise, single-shot winding number measurements through the mean chiral displacement and band structure measurements. Through our robust setup and detection techniques we can extend our capability to realizing 1-D ladder models, demonstrating a modified Creutz ladder with a staggered flux with each plaquette. This highly reconfigurable and compact fiber optics platform for Hamiltonian simulation, along with a low-noise detection scheme, provides a path forward for chip-scale realizations.

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