Super‐Robust Telecommunications Enabled by Topological Half‐Supermodes
Topological photonics offer transformative potential for robust integrated waveguide devices due to their backscattering-immune properties. However, their integration faces two fundamental challenges: mode symmetry mismatch with conventional waveguides and prohibitive dimensions. We successfully overcome these two critical challenges by introducing a novel valley-ridge gap waveguide based on topological half-supermode engineering. By strategically hybridizing ridge waveguide modes and valley kink states, we create an exotic odd-symmetric supermode enabling robust propagation and ultra-compact operation. The further implementation of a perfect electric conductor boundary halves the lateral dimensions while eliminating radiation loss. Crucially, our proposed valley-ridge interface achieves direct transverse electric mode matching with standard waveguides without transition structures, enabling seamless integration. Experimental results demonstrate reflection losses lower than -15 dB in realistic telecommunication scenarios with super-robust signal propagation through sharp bends. This work innovatively conceptualizes topological half-supermodes and pioneers their practical applications for integrated waveguide devices, establishing a completely new waveguide class that uniquely combines robust backscattering immunity with deep subwavelength compactness.
Authors
- Zihao Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0781-806X)
- Yan Ren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4108-5931)
- Menglin L. N. Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0709-7397)
- Hai Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3525-9122)
- Zhihao Lan
- Rui Zhou
- Hang Liu
- Xintong Shi
- Jing Jin
Institutions
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
- Shenzhen Polytechnic University (CN)
- Central China Normal University (CN)
- University College London (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2026-01-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202515157
- Primary Topic
- Topological Materials and Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Ministry of Education, India
- Zhejiang University
- Central China Normal University
- Hubei University