Loss-driven topological transitions in lasing

Abstract

We experimentally observe lasing in a hexamer plasmonic lattice and find that, when tuning the scale of the unit cell, the polarization properties of the emission change. By a theoretical analysis, we identify the lasing modes as quasi-bound-states in continuum of topological charges of zero, one, or two. A $T$-matrix simulation of the structure reveals that the mode quality ($Q$) factors depend on the scale of the unit cell, with highest-$Q$ modes favored by lasing. The system thus shows a loss-driven transition between lasing in modes of trivial and high-order topological charge.

Topics & Concepts