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<p>Time-periodic modulation of static systems is a powerful method for realizing topological insulators supporting robust unidirectional edge states. So far, such realizations have relied on interactions among <i>s</i> orbitals, without incorporating inter-orbital couplings. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate higher-orbital Floquet topological insulators by introducing periodically modulated couplings between optical <i>s</i> and <i>p</i> orbitals in a bipartite square lattice. The staggered phase of the <i>s</i>-<i>p</i> couplings generates a synthetic uniform <i>π</i> magnetic flux per plaquette, and periodic driving opens a topological bandgap characterized by the Floquet winding number, realizing both Chern and anomalous Floquet topological insulators. Experimentally, we image topological edge modes of <i>s</i>-<i>p</i> orbitals traveling unidirectionally around a corner. Here, the topological phases are realized by a combined effect of driving and synthetic flux. Consequently, turning off the flux makes the system trivial over a range of driving parameters. Our results open a promising pathway for exploring topological phenomena by introducing the orbital degree of freedom.</p>

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Observation of unidirectional s-p orbital topological edge states in driven photonic lattices

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Gayathry Rajeevan,
  • Sebabrata Mukherjee

摘要

Time-periodic modulation of static systems is a powerful method for realizing topological insulators supporting robust unidirectional edge states. So far, such realizations have relied on interactions among s orbitals, without incorporating inter-orbital couplings. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate higher-orbital Floquet topological insulators by introducing periodically modulated couplings between optical s and p orbitals in a bipartite square lattice. The staggered phase of the s-p couplings generates a synthetic uniform π magnetic flux per plaquette, and periodic driving opens a topological bandgap characterized by the Floquet winding number, realizing both Chern and anomalous Floquet topological insulators. Experimentally, we image topological edge modes of s-p orbitals traveling unidirectionally around a corner. Here, the topological phases are realized by a combined effect of driving and synthetic flux. Consequently, turning off the flux makes the system trivial over a range of driving parameters. Our results open a promising pathway for exploring topological phenomena by introducing the orbital degree of freedom.