Exceptional Points Of Order Research Articles

Symmetry-induced higher-order exceptional points in two dimensions

Exceptional points of order n (EPns) appear in non-Hermitian systems as points where the eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce. They emerge if 2(n−1) real constraints are imposed, such that EP2s generically appear in two dimensions (2D). Local symmetries have been shown to reduce this number of constraints. In this work, we provide a complete characterization of the appearance of symmetry-induced higher-order EPs in 2D parameter space. We find that besides EP2s only EP3s, EP4s, and EP5s can be stabilized in 2D. Moreover, these higher-order EPs must always appear in pairs with their dispersion determined by the symmetries. Upon studying the complex spectral structure around these EPs, we find that depending on the symmetry, EP3s are accompanied by EP2 arcs, and two- and three-level open Fermi structures. Similarly, EP4s and closely related EP5s, which arise due to multiple symmetries, are accompanied by exotic EP arcs and open Fermi structures. For each case, we provide an explicit example. We also comment on the topological charge of these EPs, and discuss similarities and differences between symmetry-protected higher-order EPs and EP2s. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Exceptional ring of the buoyancy instability in stars

We reveal properties of global modes of linear buoyancy instability in stars, characterized by the celebrated Schwarzschild criterion, using non-Hermitian topology. We identify a ring of exceptional points of order 4 that originates from the pseudo-Hermitian and pseudochiral symmetries of the system. The ring results from the merging of a dipole of degeneracy points in the Hermitian stably-stratified counterpart of the problem. Its existence is related to spherically symmetric unstable modes. We obtain the conditions for which convection grows over such radial modes. Those are met at early stages of low-mass stars formation. We finally show that a topological wave is robust to the presence of convective regions by reporting the presence of a mode transiting between the wavebands in the non-Hermitian problem, strengthening their relevance for asteroseismology. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Sensitivity enhancement at higher order exceptional point based on coupled whispering gallery modes in microstructured optical fibers

Sensitivity enhancement at higher order exceptional point (EP) was demonstrated based on coupled whispering gallery modes in microstructured optical fibers. Nonlinear wavelength shift response near the third-order EP (EP(3)) could be obtained at four typical refractive indices (RIs) by exploiting the adjustable RI feature of functional materials. The maximum sensitivity near EP reaches about 1.5 × 104 nm/RIU, and the sensitivity at EP approaches infinity. Besides, the sensing characteristics of a second-order EP system and a diabolic point system are compared with the EP(3) system for the same RI measurement range around 1.45 and the calculation results indicate that EP(3) system experiences an increase in RI sensitivity around EP by 6 and 10 times, respectively. In addition, tuning the real part of the medium RI of gain & loss microcavities helps to achieve tuning of the sample material RI with high sensitivity. Finally, another orthogonal state of the eigenvectors has been found by analyzing the eigenvector evolution from Hermitian regime to EP state for the EP(3) system and a lower limit of detection could be obtained as well. These finds would be of great significance for noise suppression in sensing applications based on interrogation of eigenfrequency splitting near higher order EPs.

Design of a Modified Coupled Resonators Optical Waveguide Supporting a Frozen Mode

We design a three-way silicon optical waveguide with the Bloch dispersion relation supporting a stationary inflection point (SIP). The SIP is a third order exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) where three Bloch modes coalesce forming the frozen mode with greatly enhanced amplitude. The proposed design consists of a coupled resonators optical waveguide (CROW) coupled to a parallel straight waveguide. At any given frequency, this structure supports three pairs of reciprocal Bloch eigenmodes, propagating and/or evanescent. In addition to full-wave simulations, we also employ a so-called “hybrid model” that uses transfer matrices obtained from full-wave simulations of sub-blocks of the unit cell. This allows us to account for radiation losses and enables a design procedure based on minimizing the eigenmodes’ coalescence parameter. The proposed finite-length CROW displays almost unitary transfer function at the SIP resonance, implying a nearly perfect conversion of the input light into the frozen mode. The group delay and the effective quality factor at the SIP resonance show an <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">N</i> <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> scaling, where <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">N</i> is the number of unit cells in the cavity. The frozen mode in the CROW can be utilized in various applications like sensors, lasers and optical delay lines.

Enhanced optical forces on coupled chiral particles at arbitrary order exceptional points.

Exceptional points (EPs)-non-Hermitian degeneracies at which eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce-can give rise to many intriguing phenomena in optical systems. Here, we report a study of the optical forces on chiral particles in a non-Hermitian system at EPs. The EPs are achieved by employing the unidirectional coupling of the chiral particles sitting on a dielectric waveguide under the excitation of a linearly polarized plane wave. Using full-wave numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the structure can give rise to enhanced optical forces at the EPs. Higher order EPs in general can induce stronger optical forces. In addition, the optical forces exhibit an intriguing "skin effect": the force approaches the maximum for the chiral particle at one end of the lattice. The results contribute to the understanding of optical forces in non-Hermitian systems and can find applications in designing novel optical tweezers for on-chip manipulations of chiral particles.

Localization of higher order exceptional points from finite element model and their applications to duct acoustics.

This work reviews the state of the art for high order perturbation method for parametric eigenvalue problems and propose some extensions for the multiparameters case. This approach allows to locate high order exceptional points (EP) arising in eigenvalue problems. EP correspond to a particular tuning of some complex-valued parameters which render the problem degenerate. These non-Hermitian degeneracies have raised considerable attention in the scientific community as these can have a great impact in a variety of physical problems (PT-symmetry, thermo-acoustic or fluid-structure instability, etc.) and their numerical solution. For applications dealing with dissipative acoustic waveguides, strong modal attenuation can be achieved close to EP and a maximum of attenuation occurs at EP of high order corresponding to the coalescence of more than two modes. The method is based on the automatic computation of the successive derivatives of some selected eigenpairs with respect to the parameters so that, after recombination, regular functions can be constructed. This algebraic manipulations permit to build a reduced order model allowing i) to quickly solve the eigenvalue problem for other parameters values, ii) to follow modal branches, iii) to locate higher order EPs. The method is applied to the particular case of a circular duct with a locally reacting liner at its wall which admittance varies with azimuthal position.

Non-Hermiticity induced exceptional points and skin effect in the Haldane model on a dice lattice

The interplay of topology and non-Hermiticity has led to diverse, exciting manifestations in a plethora of systems. In this work, we systematically investigate the role of non-Hermiticity in the Chern insulating Haldane model on a dice lattice. Due to the presence of a non-dispersive flat band, the dice-Haldane model hosts a topologically rich phase diagram with the non-trivial phases accommodating Chern numbers $\pm 2$. We introduce non-Hermiticity into this model in two ways -- through balanced non-Hermitian gain and loss, and by non-reciprocal hopping in one direction. Both these types of non-Hermiticity induce higher-order exceptional points of order three. We substantiate the presence and the order of these higher-order exceptional points using the phase rigidity and its scaling. Further, we construct a phase diagram to identify and locate the occurrence of these exceptional points in the parameter space. Non-Hermiticity has yet more interesting consequences on a finite-sized lattice. Unlike for balanced gain and loss, in the case of non-reciprocal hopping, the nearest-neighbour dice lattice system under periodic boundary conditions accommodates a finite, non-zero spectral area in the complex plane. This manifests as the non-Hermitian skin effect when open boundary conditions are invoked. In the more general case of the dice-Haldane lattice model, the non-Hermitian skin effect can be caused by both gain and loss or non-reciprocity. Fascinatingly, the direction of localization of the eigenstates depends on the nature and strength of the non-Hermiticity. We establish the occurrence of the skin effect using the local density of states, inverse participation ratio and the edge probability, and demonstrate its robustness to disorder. Our results place the dice-Haldane model as an exciting platform to explore non-Hermitian physics.

Symmetry protected exceptional points of interacting fermions

Non-hermitian quantum systems can exhibit spectral degeneracies known as exceptional points, where two or more eigenvectors coalesce, leading to a non-diagonalizable Jordan block. It is known that symmetries can enhance the abundance of exceptional points in non-interacting systems. Here, we investigate the fate of such symmetry protected exceptional points in the presence of a symmetry preserving interaction between fermions and find that, (i) exceptional points are stable in the presence of the interaction. Their propagation through the parameter space leads to the formation of characteristic exceptional ``fans''. In addition, (ii) we identify a new source for exceptional points which are only present due to the interaction. These points emerge from diagonalizable degeneracies in the non-interacting case. Beyond their creation and stability, (iii) we also find that exceptional points can annihilate each other if they meet in parameter space with compatible many-body states forming a third order exceptional point at the endpoint. These phenomena are well captured by an ``exceptional perturbation theory'' starting from a non-interacting Hamiltonian.

Higher order exceptional points in infinite lattices

One of the hallmarks of non-Hermitian photonics is the existence of unique degeneracies, the so-called higher order exceptional points (HEPs). So far, HEPs have been examined mostly in finite coupled systems. In this paper, we present a systematic way to construct infinite optical waveguide lattices that exhibit exceptional points of higher order. The spectral properties and the sensitivity of these lattices around such points are investigated by employing the method of pseudospectra.

Exceptional spectral phase in a dissipative collective spin model

We study a model of a quantum collective spin weakly coupled to a spin-polarized Markovian environment and find that the spectrum is divided into two regions that we name normal and exceptional Liouvillian spectral phases. In the thermodynamic limit, the exceptional spectral phase displays the unique property of being made up exclusively of second order exceptional points. As a consequence, the evolution of any initial density matrix populating this region is slowed down and cannot be described by a linear combination of exponential decays. This phase is separated from the normal one by a critical line in which the density of Liouvillian eigenvalues diverges, a phenomenon analogous to that of excited-state quantum phase transitions observed in some closed quantum systems. In the limit of no bath polarization, this criticality is transferred onto the steady state, implying a dissipative quantum phase transition and the formation of a boundary time crystal.

Linear response theory of open systems with exceptional points

Understanding the linear response of any system is the first step towards analyzing its linear and nonlinear dynamics, stability properties, as well as its behavior in the presence of noise. In non-Hermitian Hamiltonian systems, calculating the linear response is complicated due to the non-orthogonality of their eigenmodes, and the presence of exceptional points (EPs). Here, we derive a closed form series expansion of the resolvent associated with an arbitrary non-Hermitian system in terms of the ordinary and generalized eigenfunctions of the underlying Hamiltonian. This in turn reveals an interesting and previously overlooked feature of non-Hermitian systems, namely that their lineshape scaling is dictated by how the input (excitation) and output (collection) profiles are chosen. In particular, we demonstrate that a configuration with an EP of order M can exhibit a Lorentzian response or a super-Lorentzian response of order Ms with Ms = 2, 3, …, M, depending on the choice of input and output channels.

Third order modal exceptional degeneracy in waveguides with glide-time symmetry

The dispersion of a three-way waveguide is engineered to exhibit exceptional modal characteristics. Two coupled waveguides with Parity-Time (PT) symmetry have been previously demonstrated to exhibit second order exceptional points of degeneracy (EPDs). In this work, we introduce and investigate a particular class of EPDs, applicable from radio frequency to optical wavelengths, whereby three coupled waveguides satisfy Glide-Time (GT) symmetry to exhibit a third order modal degeneracy with a real-valued wavenumber. GT symmetry involves glide symmetry of lossless/gainless components of the waveguide in addition to changing the sign of passive/active elements while applying a glide symmetry operation. This GT-symmetry condition allows three Floquet-Bloch eigenmodes of the structure to coalesce to a real-valued wavenumber at a single frequency, in addition of having one branch of the dispersion diagram with a purely real wavenumber. The proposed scheme may have applications including but not limited to distributed amplifiers, radiating arrays, and sensors, from radio frequency to optics.

Frozen Mode in an Asymmetric Serpentine Optical Waveguide

The existence of a frozen mode in a periodic serpentine waveguide with broken longitudinal symmetry is demonstrated numerically. The frozen mode is associated with a stationary inflection point (SIP) of the Bloch dispersion relation, where three Bloch eigenmodes collapse on each other, as it is an exceptional point of order three. The frozen mode regime is characterized by vanishing group velocity and enhanced field amplitude, which can be very attractive in various applications including dispersion engineering, lasers, and delay lines. Useful and simple design equations that lead to realization of the frozen mode by adjusting a few parameters are derived. The trend in group delay and quality factor with waveguide length that is peculiar of the frozen mode is shown. The symmetry conditions for the existence of exceptional points of degeneracy associated with the frozen mode are also discussed.

Reservoir-assisted symmetry breaking and coalesced zero-energy modes in an open PT -symmetric Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model

We study a model consisting of a central $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric trimer with non-Hermitian strength parameter $\gamma$ coupled to two semi-infinite Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) leads. We show the existence of two zero-energy modes, one of which is localized while the other is anti-localized. For the remaining eigenvalues, we demonstrate two qualitatively distinct types of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking. Within a subset of the parameter space corresponding to the topologically non-trivial phase of the SSH chains, a gap opens within the broken $\mathcal{PT}$ regime of the discrete eigenvalue spectrum. For relatively smaller values of $\gamma$, the eigenvalues are embedded in the two SSH bands and hence become destabilized primarily due to the resonance interaction with the continuum. We refer to this as reservoir-assisted $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking. As the value of $\gamma$ is increased, the eigenvalues exit the SSH bands and the discrete eigenstates become more strongly localized in the central trimer region. This approximate decoupling results in the discrete spectrum behaving more like the independent trimer, including both a region in which the $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry is restored (the gap) and a second region in which it is broken again. At the exceptional point (EP) marking the boundary between the gap and the second $\mathcal{PT}$-broken region, two of the eigenstates coalesce with the localized zero-energy mode, resulting in a third-order exceptional point (EP3). At the other boundaries of the parameter space at which the gap vanishes, similar higher-order EPs can form as pairs of the discrete eigenstates coalesce with either of the two zero-energy states. The EPs of order $N$ formed of the localized zero-energy state give rise to a characteristic $\sim t^{2N-2}$ evolution in the survival probability dynamics, which we propose to measure in a photonic lattice experiment.

Observation of higher-order exceptional points in a non-local acoustic metagrating

Higher-order exceptional points have attracted increased attention in recent years due to their enhanced sensitivity and distinct topological features. Here, we show that non-local acoustic metagratings enabling precise and simultaneous control over their multiple orders of diffraction can serve as a robust platform for investigating higher-order exceptional points in free space. The proposed metagratings, not only could advance the fundamental research of arbitrary order exceptional points, but could also empower unconventional free-space wave manipulation for applications related to sensing and extremely asymmetrical wave control.

Waveguides with Exceptional Points of Degeneracy of Order 2, 3, 4 and 6 without Loss and Gain

We show various examples of fully-planar two-way and three-way microstrip coupled waveguides that exhibit second, third, fourth and sixth order exceptional points of degeneracy (EPD). EPDs are shown in reciprocal waveguides that do not have gain or loss. The occurrence of EPDs is observed using three methods: (i) the mathematical description of modes and the similarity of the system matrix to a Jordan block; (ii) the dispersion diagram with prescribed flatness; (iii) the coalescence of eigenvectors that is observed analytically or experimentally. We have defined a coalescence parameter that is used in conjunction with experimental results to measure the separation of the coalescing eigenvectors (polarization states). The presented structures can serve various applications like leaky-wave antennas, distributed amplifiers, oscillators, delay lines, pulse generators, and sensors.

Exceptional points and domains of unitarity for a class of strongly non-Hermitian real-matrix Hamiltonians

A family of non-Hermitian real and tridiagonal-matrix candidates H(N)(λ)=H0(N)+λW(N)(λ) for a hiddenly Hermitian (a.k.a. quasi-Hermitian) quantum Hamiltonian is proposed and studied. Fairly weak assumptions are imposed upon the unperturbed matrix [the square-well-simulating spectrum of H0(N) is not assumed equidistant)] and upon its maximally non-Hermitian N-parametric antisymmetric-matrix perturbations [matrix W(N)(λ) is not even required to be PT-symmetric]. Despite that, the “physical” parametric domain D[N] is (constructively) shown to exist, guaranteeing that in its interior, the spectrum remains real and non-degenerate, rendering the quantum evolution unitary. Among the non-Hermitian degeneracies occurring at the boundary ∂D[N] of the domain of stability, our main attention is paid to their extreme version corresponding to Kato’s exceptional point of order N (EPN). The localization of the EPNs and, in their vicinity, of the quantum-phase-transition boundaries ∂D[N] is found feasible, at the not too large N, using computer-assisted symbolic manipulations, including, in particular, the Gröbner-basis elimination and the high-precision arithmetics.

Exotic light dynamics around an exceptional point of order four associated with three connecting second-order exceptional points

The physics of exceptional point (EP) singularities has been a key to a wide range of unique physical applications in open systems. In this context, the mutual interactions among four coupled states around a fourth-order EP (EP4) in a physical system is yet to be explored. Here we investigate the unique features of an EP4 in a fabrication feasible planar optical waveguide with a multilayer gain-loss profile based on only two tunable parameters. Following a quasistatic gain-loss around the embedded EP4, a unique fourth-order successive switching phenomenon among the propagation constants ( β values) of four coupled modes has been explored. An exclusive chiral light dynamic following the dynamical variation of the gain-loss profile has been reported for the first time, which enables a special type of asymmetric higher-order mode conversion scheme. Here all the coupled modes associated with an EP4 are fully converted into different specific higher-order modes based on the choice of encirclement directions. The proposed scheme would present EP4 as a new light manipulation tool for integrated photonic devices.

Successive switching among four states in a gain-loss-assisted optical microcavity hosting exceptional points up to order four

The implementation of exceptional points (EPs), a special type of topological singularities, has emerged as a new paradigm for engineering the quantum-inspired or wave-based photonic systems. Even though there exists a range of investigations on EPs of order two and three (say, EP2s and EP3s, respectively), the hosting of fourth-order EPs (EP4s) in any real system and the exploration of associated topological features are lacking. Here we have designed a simple Fabry-P\'erot type gain-loss-assisted open optical microcavity to host EPs up to order four. The scattering-matrix formalism has been used to analyze the microcavity numerically. With the appropriate modulation of the gain-loss profile in the same cavity geometry, we have encountered multiple different orders of EPs by investigating the simultaneous interactions among four coupled cavity states via level-repulsion phenomena. Besides affirming the second-order and third-order branch-point behaviors of the embedded EP2s and EP3s, the fourth-order branch-point functionality of an EP4 has been manifested by encircling three connecting EP2s simultaneously in the closed gain-loss parameter space. We have established a unique successive state-switching phenomenon among four coupled states by implementing such an EP4-encirclement scheme in the system's parameter space. The proposed scheme indeed offers potential applications in state-switching and control in quantum-inspired integrated photonic circuits, where the presence of an EP4 serves as a new light manipulation tool.

Exceptional points and enhanced sensitivity in PT-symmetric continuous elastic media

We investigate non-Hermitian degeneracies, also known as exceptional points, in continuous elastic media, and their potential application to the detection of mass and stiffness perturbations. Degenerate states are induced by enforcing parity-time symmetry through tailored balanced gain and loss, introduced in the form of complex stiffnesses and may be implemented through piezoelectric transducers. The introduction of external perturbations leads to a splitting of the eigenvalues, which is explored as a sensitive approach to the detection of such perturbations. Numerical simulations on one-dimensional waveguides illustrate the presence of several exceptional points in their vibrational spectrum, and conceptually demonstrate their sensitivity to point mass inclusions. Second order exceptional points are shown to exhibit a frequency shift in the spectrum with a square root dependence on the perturbed mass, which is confirmed by a perturbation approach and by frequency response analyses. Elastic domains supporting guided waves are then investigated, where exceptional points are formed by the hybridization of Lamb wave modes. After illustrating a similar sensitivity to point mass inclusions, we also show how these concepts can be applied to surface wave modes for sensing crack-type defects. The presented results describe fundamental vibrational properties of PT-symmetric elastic media supporting exceptional points, whose sensitivity to perturbations goes beyond the linear dependency commonly encountered in Hermitian systems. The findings are thus promising for applications involving sensing of perturbations such as added masses, stiffness discontinuities and surface cracks.