Loss induced delocalization of topological boundary modes

Yugan Tang, Jien Wu, Pengtao Lai, Yejian Hu, Hui Liu, Weiyin Deng (), Hua Cheng (), Zhengyou Liu () and Shuqi Chen ()
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Yugan Tang: Nankai University, The Key Laboratory of Weak Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied Physics
Jien Wu: Changsha University of Science and Technology, School of Physics and Electronic Science
Pengtao Lai: Nankai University, The Key Laboratory of Weak Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied Physics
Yejian Hu: Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nanostructures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology
Hui Liu: Nankai University, The Key Laboratory of Weak Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied Physics
Weiyin Deng: Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nanostructures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology
Hua Cheng: Nankai University, The Key Laboratory of Weak Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied Physics
Zhengyou Liu: Wuhan University, Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nanostructures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology
Shuqi Chen: Nankai University, The Key Laboratory of Weak Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied Physics

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The introduction of non-Hermiticity has inspired abundant intriguing phenomena to topological physics. As a significant part of non-Hermiticity, losses are generally inevitable, represent a natural tendency of open systems, and can be readily regulated by straightforward passive components. However, losses are originally considered obstructive to topological systems and usually enable the localization of states. Here, we present that reciprocal loss can induce delocalization of topological boundary modes, which is essentially distinct from non-reciprocal mechanisms. By precisely regulated imaginary hopping via loss, the end modes in one dimension and the corner modes in two and three dimensions of topological insulators are delocalized to the bulk, accompanied by the non-Hermitian skin effects. Our theory is implemented in passive electric circuits with resistance as non-Hermitian loss, and the topological delocalized modes are well visualized experimentally. The realized topological delocalized modes are still robust against disorders and possess a broadband property. Our work establishes an important missing link between topology and loss, and brings a unique vision for compact topological applications.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65422-7

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