Localized dynamics arising from multiple flat bands in a decorated photonic Lieb lattice

Abstract

Photonic lattices have emerged as an ideal testbed for localizing light in space. Among others, the most promising approach is based on flat band systems and their related nondiffracting compact localized states. So far, only compact localized states arising from a single flat band have been found. Such states typically appear static, thus not allowing adaptive or evolutionary features of light localization. Here, we report on the first experimental realization of an oscillating compact localized state arising from multiple flat bands. We observe an oscillatory intensity beating during propagation in a two-dimensional photonic decorated Lieb lattice. The photonic system is realized by direct femtosecond laser writing and hosts most importantly multiple flat bands at different eigenenergies in its band structure. Our results open new avenues for evolution dynamics in the up to now static phenomenon of light localization in periodic waveguide structures and extend the current understanding of light localization in flat band systems.