Bulk-edge correspondence and trapping at a non-Hermitian topological interface

Abstract

In Hermitian systems, according to the bulk-edge correspondence interfacing two topological optical media with different bulk topological numbers implies the existence of edge states, which can trap light at the interface. However, such a general scenario can be violated when dealing with non-Hermitian systems. Here we show that interfacing two semi-infinite Hatano-Nelson chains with different bulk topological numbers can result in the existence of infinitely many edge (interface) states, however light waves cannot be rather generally trapped at the interface.

5 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (4)

• Topological Photonics
• Topological Origin of Non-Hermitian Skin Effects
• Efficient Light Funneling based on the non-Hermitian Skin Effect
• A General Theorem Relating the Bulk Topological Number to Edge States in Two-dimensional Insulators

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Phase transitions in non-Hermitian superlattices