High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals

Abstract Photonic modes exhibiting a polarization winding akin to a vortex possess an integer topological charge. Lasing with topological charge 1 or 2 can be realized in periodic lattices of up to six-fold rotational symmetry—higher order charges require symmetries not compatible with any two-dimen...

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Main Authors: Kristian Arjas, Jani Matti Taskinen, Rebecca Heilmann, Grazia Salerno, Päivi Törmä
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53952-5
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author Kristian Arjas
Jani Matti Taskinen
Rebecca Heilmann
Grazia Salerno
Päivi Törmä
author_facet Kristian Arjas
Jani Matti Taskinen
Rebecca Heilmann
Grazia Salerno
Päivi Törmä
author_sort Kristian Arjas
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Photonic modes exhibiting a polarization winding akin to a vortex possess an integer topological charge. Lasing with topological charge 1 or 2 can be realized in periodic lattices of up to six-fold rotational symmetry—higher order charges require symmetries not compatible with any two-dimensional Bravais lattice. Here, we experimentally demonstrate lasing with topological charges as high as −5, +7, −17 and +19 in quasicrystals. We discover rich ordered structures of increasing topological charges in the reciprocal space. Our quasicrystal design utilizes group theory in determining electromagnetic field nodes, where lossy plasmonic nanoparticles are positioned to maximize gain. Our results open a new path for fundamental studies of higher-order topological defects, coherent light beams of high topological charge, and realizations of omni-directional, flat-band-like lasing.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-a9101a6e93084dbbad55d373bef9075a2025-08-20T02:13:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-11-0115111010.1038/s41467-024-53952-5High topological charge lasing in quasicrystalsKristian Arjas0Jani Matti Taskinen1Rebecca Heilmann2Grazia Salerno3Päivi Törmä4Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of ScienceDepartment of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of ScienceDepartment of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of ScienceDepartment of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of ScienceDepartment of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of ScienceAbstract Photonic modes exhibiting a polarization winding akin to a vortex possess an integer topological charge. Lasing with topological charge 1 or 2 can be realized in periodic lattices of up to six-fold rotational symmetry—higher order charges require symmetries not compatible with any two-dimensional Bravais lattice. Here, we experimentally demonstrate lasing with topological charges as high as −5, +7, −17 and +19 in quasicrystals. We discover rich ordered structures of increasing topological charges in the reciprocal space. Our quasicrystal design utilizes group theory in determining electromagnetic field nodes, where lossy plasmonic nanoparticles are positioned to maximize gain. Our results open a new path for fundamental studies of higher-order topological defects, coherent light beams of high topological charge, and realizations of omni-directional, flat-band-like lasing.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53952-5
spellingShingle Kristian Arjas
Jani Matti Taskinen
Rebecca Heilmann
Grazia Salerno
Päivi Törmä
High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
Nature Communications
title High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
title_full High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
title_fullStr High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
title_full_unstemmed High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
title_short High topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
title_sort high topological charge lasing in quasicrystals
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53952-5
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AT janimattitaskinen hightopologicalchargelasinginquasicrystals
AT rebeccaheilmann hightopologicalchargelasinginquasicrystals
AT graziasalerno hightopologicalchargelasinginquasicrystals
AT paivitorma hightopologicalchargelasinginquasicrystals