Extremely broadband topological surface states in a photonic topological metamaterials

Abstract

Metamaterials, artificially engineered materials consisting of subwavelength unit cell, have shown potentials in light manipulation with their extraordinary optical properties. Especially, topological metamaterials possessing topologically protected surface states enable extremely robust control of light. Here, we demonstrate extremely broadband topological phase in a photonic topological metamaterials with double helix structure. In particular topological surface states are observed for all the frequencies below a certain cut-off, originating from a double Weyl point at zero frequency. The extreme bandwidth and robustness of the photonic topological metamaterial are beneficial for practical applications such as one-way waveguide and photonic integrated systems but also advantageous in design and fabrication since the only necessary condition is to satisfy the effective hyperbolic and chiral properties, without entailing strict periodic arrangement.