Topologically enhanced harmonic generation in a nonlinear transmission line metamaterial

You Wang, Li-Jun Lang, Ching Hua Lee, Baile Zhang () and Y. D. Chong ()
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You Wang: Nanyang Technological University
Li-Jun Lang: Nanyang Technological University
Ching Hua Lee: A*STAR
Baile Zhang: Nanyang Technological University
Y. D. Chong: Nanyang Technological University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) are nonlinear electronic circuits used for parametric amplification and pulse generation, and it is known that left-handed NLTLs support enhanced harmonic generation while suppressing shock wave formation. We show experimentally that in a left-handed NLTL analogue of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) lattice, harmonic generation is greatly increased by the presence of a topological edge state. Previous studies of nonlinear SSH circuits focused on solitonic behaviours at the fundamental harmonic. Here, we show that a topological edge mode at the first harmonic can produce strong propagating higher-harmonic signals, acting as a nonlocal cross-phase nonlinearity. We find maximum third-harmonic signal intensities five times that of a comparable conventional left-handed NLTL, and a 250-fold intensity contrast between topologically nontrivial and trivial configurations. This work advances the fundamental understanding of nonlinear topological states, and may have applications for compact electronic frequency generators.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08966-9

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