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Dirac factorization of the elastic wave equation of two-dimension stiff plates coupled to a rigid substrate reveals the possible topological properties of elastic waves in this system. These waves may possess spin-like degrees of freedom associated with a gapped band structure reminiscent of the spin Hall effect. In semi-infinite plates or strips with zero displacement edges, the Dirac-factored elastic wave equation shows the possibility of edge modes moving in opposite directions. The finite size of strips leads to overlap between edge modes consequently opening a gap in their spectrum eliminating the spin Hall-like effects. This Dirac factorization tells us what solutions of the elastic wave equation would be if we could break some symmetry. Dirac factorization does not break symmetry but simply exposes what topological properties of elastic waves may result from symmetry breaking structural or external perturbations.
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Mathematical theory for topological photonic materials in one dimension
Abstract This work presents a rigorous theory for topological photonic materials in one dimension. The main focus is on the existence of interface modes that are induced by topological properties of the bulk structure. For a general 1D photonic structure with time-reversal symmetry, we investigate the existence of an interface mode that is induced by a Dirac point upon perturbation. Specifically, we establish conditions on the perturbation which guarantee the opening of a band gap around the Dirac point and the existence of an interface mode. For a periodic photonic structure with both time-reversal and inversion symmetry, the Zak phase is quantized, taking only two values 0 , π . We show that the Zak phase is determined by the parity (even or odd) of the Bloch modes at the band edges. For a photonic structure consisting of two semi-infinite systems on the two sides of an interface with distinct topological indices, we show the existence of an interface mode inside the common gap. The stability of the mode under perturbations is also investigated. Finally, we study resonances for finite topological structures. Our results are based on the transfer matrix method and the oscillation theory for Sturm–Liouville operators. The methods and results can be extended to general topological Sturm–Liouville systems in one dimension.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2011148
- PAR ID:
- 10447109
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
- Volume:
- 55
- Issue:
- 49
- ISSN:
- 1751-8113
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 495203
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8121/aca9a5
