Topologically protected frequency control of broadband signals in dynamically modulated waveguide arrays

Abstract

In this theoretical proposal, the authors show how acousto-optic modulation can be used to generate two-dimensional topologically nontrivial band structures using one-dimensional optical waveguide arrays by using the frequency of the light as a synthetic dimension. The scheme paves the way for the use of the standard photonic technology of laser-written waveguides for the spectral manipulation of broadband signals, both for classical waves and for single- or few-photon quantum wave packets.