Observation of momentum-gap topology of light at temporal interfaces in a time-synthetic lattice

Yudong Ren, Kangpeng Ye, Qiaolu Chen, Fujia Chen, Li Zhang, Yuang Pan, Wenhao Li, Xinrui Li, Lu Zhang (), Hongsheng Chen () and Yihao Yang ()
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Yudong Ren: Zhejiang University
Kangpeng Ye: Zhejiang University
Qiaolu Chen: Zhejiang University
Fujia Chen: Zhejiang University
Li Zhang: Zhejiang University
Yuang Pan: Zhejiang University
Wenhao Li: Zhejiang University
Xinrui Li: Zhejiang University
Lu Zhang: Zhejiang University
Hongsheng Chen: Zhejiang University
Yihao Yang: Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Topological phases have prevailed across diverse disciplines, spanning electronics, photonics, and acoustics. Hitherto, the understanding of these phases has centred on energy (frequency) bandstructures, showcasing topological boundary states at spatial interfaces. Recent strides have uncovered a unique category of bandstructures characterised by gaps in momentum, referred to as momentum bandgaps or k gaps, notably driven by breakthroughs in photonic time crystals. This discovery hints at abundant topological phases defined within momentum bands, alongside a wealth of topological boundary states in the time domain. Here, we report the experimental observation of k-gap topology in a large-scale optical temporal synthetic lattice, manifesting as temporal topological boundary states. These boundary states are uniquely situated at temporal interfaces between two subsystems with distinct k-gap topology. Counterintuitively, despite the exponential amplification of k-gap modes within both subsystems, these topological boundary states exhibit decay in both temporal directions [i.e., with energy growing (decaying) before (after) the temporal interfaces]. Our findings mark a significant pathway for delving into k gaps, temporal topological states, and time-varying physics.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56021-7

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