Double JCMS: Synthetic Momenta: A New Approach to Photonic Topological Physics

by Dr Dario Bercioux (DIPC)

Thursday 4 Jun 2026, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Stockholm

Albano 3: 6228 - Mega (22 seats) (Albano Building 3)

Topological phenomena are common in many quantum and classical wave systems, with photonic systems serving as a key platform for detailed exploration. In this talk, I will introduce an approach to studying topological phenomena in photonic systems by using the concept of synthetic momenta. These synthetic momenta result from the periodic modulation of geometric parameters in real space. For example, the relative shift between two one-dimensional photonic gratings creates a synthetic momentum that naturally breaks time-reversal symmetry. I will present results for the bi-layer and the three-layer one-dimensional systems. In the bi-layer system, I will show how a topological mode can enable lasing. In the three-layer system, I will discuss various topological phases [1] and present the phenomenon of the Fermi-arc reconstruction [2]. Finally, I will outline our progress in understanding the adiabatic scattering of Berry monopoles [3].

References

[1] D.-H.-M. Nguyen et al., ACS Photonics 13, 1399 (2026),

[2] D.-H.-M. Nguyen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 053602 (2023),

[3] N. D. Lê et al., arXiv:2507.11983 (2026).