Topology has been investigated in many physical systems, from solid-state to quantum matter, optics and metamaterials. Topological photonics attracts interest for possible practical applications, from the unidirectional propagation of light to integrated all-optical devices that are robust to external perturbations. However, topological effects of light at the nanoscale are affected by nonlocal and radiative effects in ways that are not fully understood and controlled. This project tackles this challenge by developing a fundamental theory for out-of-equilibrium topological phases in nanophotonic systems. The project will develop methods for the realization of topological nanophotonic systems with radiative and retardative effects. Particular attention is devoted to the proposal of experimental realizations with nanoplasmonic and exciton-polariton lattices, that will validate the theoretical results together with numerical simulations. The project will be done at Aalto University.

2023

2025