Reconfigurable topological phases in two-dimensional dielectric photonic crystals

Abstract

The extensive research on photonic topological insulators has opened up an intriguing way to control electromagnetic (EM) waves. In this work, we numerically demonstrate reconfigurable microwave photon analogues of topological insulator (TIs) in a triangular lattice of elliptical cylinders, according to the theory of topological defects. Multiple topological transitions between the trivial and nontrivial photonic phases can be realized by inhomogeneously changing the ellipse orientation, without altering the lattice structure. Topological protection of the edge states and reconfigurable topological one-way propagation at microwave frequencies, are further verified. Our approach provides a new route towards freely steering light propagations in dielectric photonic crystals (PCs), which has potential applications in the areas of topological signal processing and sensing.