Reciprocal topological photonic crystals allow backscattering
Mikael C. Rechtsman
Abstract
Topological photonics has promised new devices that are resistant to backscattering, leading to lower loss, greater nonlinearity, and smaller footprint. New research shows that in reciprocal photonic crystals, backscattering is unavoidable, implying that breaking reciprocity is essential to leveraging photonic Chern insulators.
Topics & Concepts
PhotonicsReciprocalPhotonic crystalReciprocity (cultural anthropology)Topological insulatorPhysicsOpticsFootprintOptoelectronicsTopology (electrical circuits)Condensed matter physicsEngineeringBiologyElectrical engineeringPhilosophyLinguisticsPsychologyPaleontologySocial psychologyTopological Materials and PhenomenaPhotonic Crystals and ApplicationsRandom lasers and scattering media