Linked Weyl surfaces and Weyl arcs in photonic metamaterials

Abstract

Topology in higher dimensions In condensed-matter systems, the band structure of a material has often been equated with functionality. However, consideration of the topology of the band structure now provides a route to develop a functionality that goes far beyond the expected properties of the materials. Using electromagnetic metamaterials as building blocks, Ma et al . realized a five-dimensional generalization of a topological Weyl semimetal. Along with the three real momentum dimensions, these included two bi-anisotropy material parameters as synthetic dimensions to demonstrate both linked Weyl surfaces and Yang monopoles. The metamaterial platform provides a powerful route to explore the exotic physics associated with higher-order topological phenomena. —ISO