Observation of Topological Armchair Edge States in Photonic Biphenylene Network

Abstract: Edge states in 2D materials are vital for advancements in spintronics, quantum computing, and logic transistors. For graphene nanoribbons, it is well known that the zigzag edges can host edge states, but realization of armchair edge states has been challenging without breaking the time-reversal symmetry. Here, by using a photonic analog of recently synthesized graphene-like biphenylene network (BPN), we demonstrate topological in-gap edge states particularly at the armchair edges. Interestingly, several bulk states preserve the characteristics of edge states along the armchair boundaries, manifesting an unusual hybridization between the edge and bulk states. Experimentally, we observe both zigzag and armchair edge states in photonic BPN lattices written in a nonlinear crystal. Furthermore, we clarify the different features of the armchair boundary between the BPN and graphene lattices. Our results demonstrated here may be applicable to carbon-based BPNs and other artificial platforms beyond photonics, holding promise for expanding the application scope of 2D materials.