Interface states in two-dimensional quasicrystals with broken inversion symmetry

Abstract: We investigate the existence of interface states induced by broken inversion symmetries in two-dimensional quasicrystal lattices. We introduce a 10-fold rotationally symmetric quasicrystal lattice whose inversion symmetry is broken through a mass dimerization that produces two 5-fold symmetric sub-lattices. By considering resonator scatterers attached to an elastic plate, we illustrate the emergence of bands of interface states that accompany a band inversion of the quasicrystal spectrum as a function of the dimerization parameter. These bands are filled by modes which are localized along domain-wall interfaces separating regions of opposite inversion symmetry. These features draw parallels to the dynamic behavior of topological interface states in the context of the valley Hall effect, which has been so far limited to periodic lattices. We numerically and experimentally demonstrate wave-guiding in a quasicrystal lattice featuring a zig-zag interface with sharp turns of 36 degrees, which goes beyond the limitation of 60 degrees associated with 6-fold symmetric (i.e., honeycomb) periodic lattices. Our results provide new opportunities for symmetry-based quasicrystalline topological waveguides that do not require time-reversal symmetry breaking, and that allow for higher freedom in the design of their waveguiding trajectories by leveraging higher-order rotational symmetries.