Edge states with hidden topology in spinner lattices

Abstract Symmetries – whether explicit, latent, or hidden – are fundamental to understanding topological materials. This work introduces a prototypical spring-mass model that extends beyond established canonical models, revealing topological edge states with distinct profiles at opposite edges. Thes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Udbhav Vishwakarma, Murthaza Irfan, Georgios Theocharis, Rajesh Chaunsali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Communications Physics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-01981-x
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Summary:Abstract Symmetries – whether explicit, latent, or hidden – are fundamental to understanding topological materials. This work introduces a prototypical spring-mass model that extends beyond established canonical models, revealing topological edge states with distinct profiles at opposite edges. These edge states originate from hidden symmetries that become apparent only in deformation coordinates, as opposed to the conventional displacement coordinates used for bulk-boundary correspondence. Our model, realized through the intricate connectivity of a spinner chain, demonstrates experimentally distinct edge states at opposite ends. By extending this framework to two dimensions, we explore the conditions required for such edge waves and their hidden symmetry in deformation coordinates. We also show that these edge states are robust against disorders that respect the hidden symmetry. This research paves the way for advanced material designs with tailored boundary conditions and edge state profiles, offering potential applications in fields such as photonics, acoustics, and mechanical metamaterials.
ISSN:2399-3650