Optical control of topological end states via soliton formation in a 1D lattice

Abstract: Solitons are self-consistent solutions of the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation that maintain their shape during propagation. Here we show, using a pump-probe technique, that soliton formation can be used to optically induce and control a linear topological end state in the bulk of a Su-Schrieffer-Heeger lattice, using evanescently-coupled waveguide arrays. Specifically, we observe an abrupt nonlinearly-induced transition above a certain power threshold due to an inversion symmetry-breaking nonlinear bifurcation. Our results demonstrate all-optical active control of topological states.