Mode-selective single-dipole excitation and controlled routing of guided waves in a multi-mode topological waveguide

Abstract

Topology-linked binary degrees of freedom of guided waves have been used to expand the channel capacity of and to ensure robust transmission through photonic waveguides. However, selectively exciting optical modes associated with the desired degree of freedom is challenging and typically requires spatially extended sources or filters. Both approaches are incompatible with the ultimate objective of developing compact mode-selective sources powered by single emitters. In addition, the implementation of highly desirable functionalities, such as controllable distribution of guided modes between multiple detectors, becomes challenging in highly compact devices due to photon loss to reflections. Here, we demonstrate that a linearly polarized dipole-like source can selectively excite a topologically robust edge mode with the desired valley degree of freedom. Reflection-free routing of valley-polarized edge modes into two spatially separated detectors with reconfigurable splitting ratios is also presented. An optical implementation of such a source will have the potential to broaden the applications of topological photonic devices.