Topological Switching Research Articles

EMI Mitigation of a Ćuk-Based Power-Electronic System Using Switching-Sequence-Based Control

Switching-sequence-based control (SBC) laws when designed based on topological switching behavior can have positive effects on slow- and fast-scale dynamics of a power-electronic system (PES). The slow-scale control can encompass fast PES state regulation and tracking, based on predefined objective, while fast-scale control can address differential-mode (DM) and common-mode (CM) spectral-peak energy associated with PES switching operation. Such control laws may offer enhanced programmability to conventional PES design where bulky electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters have been traditionally used to reduce EMI of switching power converters to meet EMI regulatory standards. An EMI filter is always a less programmable solution since it is usually designed for the worst-case EMI mitigation and usually overkill for a PES operating under reduced load condition. The control scheme outlined in this article offers EMI mitigation across wide operating regions without compromising PES regulation. Moreover, it does so by use of switching sequences that guarantee the reachability of the PES dynamics using an advanced Lyapunov-function-based approach. SBC is a powerful tool to generate control actions for a PES based on multivariate PES state constraints. Hence, contemporary EMI regulatory standards are used as constraints in the SBC formulation to operate the PES under wide operating regime while autonomously mitigating the EMI levels. The work may be of paramount importance for operating the ultra-fast-transition recent wide-bandgap semiconductor devices like GaN-FET and SiC MOSFET under higher power with increasing switching frequencies, which is usually desirable for increased power density and reduced switching losses. Here, a hardware Ćuk-PES operated with GaN-FETs is fabricated and is used for case illustration. It is shown by experimental results how SBC mitigate DM and CM EMI noise of the PES while maintaining regulation even for the higher order nonminimum phase PES, while reducing sensor requirements using state observer derived from the switching model of the PES.

A topological switch in CFTR modulates channel activity and sensitivity to unfolding.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel is essential to maintain fluid homeostasis in key organs. Functional impairment of CFTR due to mutations in the cftr gene leads to cystic fibrosis. Here, we show that the first nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1) of CFTR can spontaneously adopt an alternate conformation that departs from the canonical NBD fold previously observed. Crystallography reveals that this conformation involves a topological reorganization of NBD1. Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy shows that the equilibrium between the conformations is regulated by adenosine triphosphate binding. However, under destabilizing conditions, such as the disease-causing mutation F508del, this conformational flexibility enables unfolding of the β-subdomain. Our data indicate that, in wild-type CFTR, this conformational transition of NBD1 regulates channel function, but, in the presence of the F508del mutation, it allows domain misfolding and subsequent protein degradation. Our work provides a framework to design conformation-specific therapeutics to prevent noxious transitions.

Topological Charge Switch in Active Multi‐Core Fibers

AbstractTopological properties can make light field remarkably robust to various external perturbations. The ability to control and change on demand topological characteristics of light paves the way to new interesting physical phenomena and applications. Here, numerical modelling design of the device based on active multi‐core fiber that can change topological charge of the state of light has been proposed. The concept is based on the nonlinear dynamics of optical vortices in active multi‐core optical fiber with linearly coupled cores, saturated gain, and constant linear losses. Results demonstrate that the proposed system can provide change of the topological charge of vortices.

Gate-tunable localization and delocalization of perfect valley-related topological edge states in zigzag graphene nanoribbons

We investigated the properties of the energy band and edge states of zigzag graphene nanoribbons with side gates and staggered sublattice potential. The staggered sublattice potential can introduce a bulk band gap, and there are flat bands directly connecting two Dirac points at the edge of the band gap. The addition of the side gate can make the flat band as a whole enter the bulk band gap, forming a transportable edge state, and because of the existence of the flat band, these transportable edge states are all localized near the two Dirac points, a helical edge state structure related to the valley is formed. Through the analysis of non-equilibrium Green’s function, it is found that these valley-related edge states can lead to quantized Hall conductance. However, it should be emphasized that the edge states related to the valley Hall effect are not sensitively dependent on the depth of the flat band in the bulk band gap. Further by analyzing the relationship between the current of the system and the side gate, we found that the system has a very good topological edge state switching effect.

Magnetism-mediated transition between crystalline and higher-order topological phases in NpSb

Merging the fields of topology and magnetism expands the scope of fundamental quantum phenomena with novel functionalities for topological spintronics enormously. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that ferromagnetism provides an efficient means to achieve a topological switching between crystalline and higher-order topological insulator phases in two dimensions. Using a tight-binding model and first-principles calculations, we identify layered NpSb as a long-awaited two-dimensional topological crystalline insulator with intrinsic ferromagnetic order with a band gap which is as large as 220 meV. We show that when ${\mathcal{M}}_{z}$ symmetry is preserved for the out of plane magnetization of this material, it exhibits a pair of gapless edge states along all boundaries and carries a nonzero mirror Chern number ${\mathcal{C}}_{\mathcal{M}}=1$. Remarkably, when rotating the magnetization into the plane a higher-order topological insulator phase with a parity-based invariant ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{2\text{D}}=1$ is achieved, and in-gap topological corner states emerge. Our results pave the way to understanding and engineering topological insulating states in two-dimensional ferromagnets.

Optical switching of topological phase in a perovskite polariton lattice.

Strong light-matter interaction enriches topological photonics by dressing light with matter, which provides the possibility to realize active nonlinear topological devices with immunity to defects. Topological exciton polaritons-half-light, half-matter quasiparticles with giant optical nonlinearity-represent a unique platform for active topological photonics. Previous demonstrations of exciton polariton topological insulators demand cryogenic temperatures, and their topological properties are usually fixed. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a room temperature exciton polariton topological insulator in a perovskite zigzag lattice. Polarization serves as a degree of freedom to switch between distinct topological phases, and the topologically nontrivial polariton edge states persist in the presence of onsite energy perturbations, showing strong immunity to disorder. We further demonstrate exciton polariton condensation into the topological edge states under optical pumping. These results provide an ideal platform for realizing active topological polaritonic devices working at ambient conditions, which can find important applications in topological lasers, optical modulation, and switching.

Valley-Selective Topological Corner States in Sonic Crystals.

Higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs), a new horizon of topological phases of matter, host lower-dimensional corner or hinge states, providing important stepping stones to the realization of robust topological waveguides in higher dimensions. The nontrivial band topology that gives rise to the corner or hinge states is usually enabled by certain crystalline symmetries. As a result, higher-order topological boundary states are tied to specific corners or hinges, lacking the flexibility of switching and selecting. Here, we report the experimental realization of topologically switchable and valley-selective corner states in a two-dimensional sonic crystal. Such intriguing properties are enabled by exploiting the higher-order topology assisted with the valley degree of freedom. For this purpose, we realize a valley HOTI of second-order topology characterized by the nontrivial bulk polarization. Interestingly, the hosted corner states are found to be valley dependent and therefore enable flexible control and manipulation on the wave localization. Topological switch on or off and valley selection of the corner states are directly observed through spatial scanning of the sound field. We further design an arbitrary structure of complex patterns containing corners with various intersection angles, among which selected corners can be illuminated or darkened upon valley selection. The reported valley HOTI and the valley-selective corner states provide fundamental understanding on the interplay between higher-order topology and valley degree of freedom and pave the way for lower-dimensional valleytronics, which may find potential applications in integrated acoustics and photonics.

Intrinsic Time-Reversal-Invariant Topological Superconductivity in Thin Films of Iron-Based Superconductors.

We establish quasi-two-dimensional thin films of iron-based superconductors (FeSCs) as a new high-temperature platform for hosting intrinsic time-reversal-invariant helical topological superconductivity (TSC). Based on the combination of Dirac surface state and bulk extended s-wave pairing, our theory should be directly applicable to a large class of experimentally established FeSCs, opening a new TSC paradigm. In particular, an applied electric field serves as a "topological switch" for helical Majorana edge modes in FeSC thin films, allowing for an experimentally feasible design of gate-controlled helical Majorana circuits. Applying an in-plane magnetic field drives the helical TSC phase into a higher-order TSC carrying corner-localized Majorana zero modes. Our proposal should enable the experimental realization of helical Majorana fermions.

Topological mode switching in modulated structures with dynamic encircling of an exceptional point.

Exceptional points are special degeneracies occurring in non-Hermitian systems at which both eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes coalesce simultaneously. Fascinating phenomena, including topological, non-reciprocal and chiral energy transfer between normal modes, have been envisioned in optical and photonic systems with the exceptional point dynamically encircled in the parameter space. However, it has remained an open question of whether and how topological mode switching relying on exceptional points could be achieved in mechanical systems. The present paper studies a two-mode mechanical system with an exceptional point and implements the dynamic encircling of such a point using dynamic modulation mechanisms with time-driven elasticity and viscosity. Topological mode switching with robustness against the input state and loop trajectories has been demonstrated numerically. It is found that the dynamical encircling of an exceptional point with the starting point near the symmetric phase leads to chiral mode transfer controlled mainly by the encircling direction, while non-chiral dynamics is observed for the starting point near the broken phase. Analyses also show that minor energy input is required in the process of encircling the exceptional point, demonstrating the intrinsically motivated behaviour of topological mode switching.

Topological quantum switch and controllable one-dimensional conducting paths in antimonene facilitated by breaking the inversion symmetry

Based on the recently found non-trivial topology of buckled antimonene, we propose the conceptual design of a quantized switch that is protected by topology and a mechanism to create configurable 1D wire channels. We show that the topologically required edge states in this system can be turned on and off by breaking the inversion symmetry (reducing the symmetry from $S_6$ to $C_3$), which can be achieved by gating the system. This is shown to create a field-effect quantum switch projected by topology. Secondly we show that by locally gating the system with different polarity in different areas, a soliton-like domain wall is created at their interface, which hosts a protected electronic state, in which transport could be accessed by gated doping.

Nonvolatile ferroelectric control of topological states in two-dimensional heterostructures

Quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator materials feature topologically protected edge states that can drastically reduce dissipation and are useful for the next-generation electronics. However, the nonvolatile control of topological edge state is still a challenge. In this paper, based on first-principles calculations, the switchable topological states are found in the van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures consisting of two dimensional (2D) Bi(111) bilayer (BL) and {\alpha}-In2Se3 by reversing the electric polarization of the ferroelectric {\alpha}-In2Se3. The topological switching results from the different charge transfer associated with the two opposite polarization states of {\alpha}-In2Se3. This new topological switching mechanism has the unique advantages of being fully electrical as well as nonvolatile. Our finding provides an unprecedented approach to realize ferroelectric control of topological states in 2D materials, which will have great potential for applications in topological nanoscale electronics.

Lateral Gate and Magnetic Field Controlled Quantum Transport in a Topological Dirac Semimetal Nanowire

Both the charge- and spin-transport properties of a topological Dirac semimetal (TDSM) nanowire with two lateral gates and a perpendicular magnetic field are investigated by using the Green function method in combination with the Landauer-B\uttiker formula. A fully spin-polarized surface current can be generated in the considered system and it can be turned on or off by varying the electron energy and magnetic field strength. The underlying physics of this transport phenomenon originates from the quantum anomalous Hall-like insulator state of the TDSM nanowire caused by the magnetic field. Further studies indicate the spin-polarized current with a strong robustness against disorder, displaying the feasibility of designing a topological spin filtering and switch device based on the considered system.

Observation of fluctuation-mediated picosecond nucleation of a topological phase.

Topological states of matter exhibit fascinating physics combined with an intrinsic stability. A key challenge is the fast creation of topological phases, which requires massive reorientation of charge or spin degrees of freedom. Here we report the picosecond emergence of an extended topological phase that comprises many magnetic skyrmions. The nucleation of this phase, followed in real time via single-shot soft X-ray scattering after infrared laser excitation, is mediated by a transient topological fluctuation state. This state is enabled by the presence of a time-reversal symmetry-breaking perpendicular magnetic field and exists for less than 300 ps. Atomistic simulations indicate that the fluctuation state largely reduces the topological energy barrier and thereby enables the observed rapid and homogeneous nucleation of the skyrmion phase. These observations provide fundamental insights into the nature of topological phase transitions, and suggest a path towards ultrafast topological switching in a wide variety of materials through intermediate fluctuating states.

Valleylike Edge States in Chiral Phononic Crystals with Dirac Degeneracies beyond High-Symmetry Points and Boundaries of Brillouin Zones

Recently, the field of topological acoustics has rapidly developed, where the topological phase transition in phononic crystals is unveiled to occur through band inversion via the Dirac degeneracy in momentum space. Here, we focus on a class of low-symmetry acoustic valleylike topological insulators (VTIs), with honeycomb-lattice scatterers being chiral with ${C}_{1}$ symmetry. The valley Hall transition can be generated by simply rotating the chiral scatterers, where the topological phase transition is triggered by reopening the Dirac degeneracies beyond high-symmetry points and boundaries in the Brillouin zones. We numerically and experimentally demonstrate robust transport against different defects in chiral VTIs. For applications, we construct a topological beam splitter to verify the valley-selective one-way transport in chiral VTIs. Based on valleylike edge states, we design a topological acoustic switch with one input and two outputs, where the switching functionality at outputs with the on-off, off-off, and off-on states is confirmed by simulations and experimental tests. We also provide a more complex four-port acoustic switch based on chiral VTIs. The chiral VTI-based splitter and switches may have potential applications in constructing intelligent acoustic devices.

Vacancies in graphene: Dirac physics and fractional vacuum charges

The study of vacancies in graphene is a topic of growing interest. A single vacancy induces a localized stable charge of order unity interacting with other charges of the conductor through an unscreened Coulomb potential. It also breaks the symmetry between the two triangular graphene sublattices hence inducing zero energy states at the Dirac points. Here we show the fractional and pseudoscalar nature of this vacancy charge. A continuous Dirac model is presented which relates zero modes to vacuum fractional charge and to a parity anomaly. This relation constitutes an index theorem and is achieved by using particular chiral boundary conditions, which map the vacancy problem onto edge state physics. Vacancies in graphene thus allow us to realize prominent features of $2+1$ quantum electrodynamics but without coupling to a gauge field. This essential difference makes vacancy physics relatively easy to implement and an interesting playground for topological state switching.

The Hepatitis B Virus Envelope Proteins: Molecular Gymnastics Throughout the Viral Life Cycle.

New hepatitis B virions released from infected hepatocytes are the result of an intricate maturation process that starts with the formation of the nucleocapsid providing a confined space where the viral DNA genome is synthesized via reverse transcription. Virion assembly is finalized by the enclosure of the icosahedral nucleocapsid within a heterogeneous envelope. The latter contains integral membrane proteins of three sizes, collectively known as hepatitis B surface antigen, and adopts multiple conformations in the course of the viral life cycle. The nucleocapsid conformation depends on the reverse transcription status of the genome, which in turn controls nucleocapsid interaction with the envelope proteins for virus exit. In addition, after secretion the virions undergo a distinct maturation step during which a topological switch of the large envelope protein confers infectivity. Here we review molecular determinants for envelopment and models that postulate molecular signals encoded in the capsid scaffold conducive or adverse to the recruitment of envelope proteins.

Topological Switch for Non-Hermitian Skin Effect in Cold-Atom Systems with Loss.

We propose a realistic cold-atom quantum setting where topological localization induces nonreciprocal pumping. This is an intriguing non-Hermitian phenomenon that illustrates how topology, when assisted with atom loss, can act as a "switch" for the non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), rather than as a passive property that is modified by the NHSE. In particular, we present a lattice-shaking scenario to realize a two-dimensional cold-atom platform, where nonreciprocity is switched on only in the presence of both atom loss and topological localization due to time-reversal symmetry breaking. The resultant nonreciprocal pumping is manifested by asymmetric dynamical evolution, detectable by atomic populations along the system edges. Our setup may trigger possible applications in nonreciprocal atomtronics, where loss and topological mechanisms conspire to control atomic transport. Its quantum nature will also facilitate future studies on the interplay between non-Hermiticity and many-body physics.

Möbius Insulator and Higher-Order Topology in MnBi_{2n}Te_{3n+1}.

We propose MnBi_{2n}Te_{3n+1} as a magnetically tunable platform for realizing various symmetry-protected higher-order topology. Its canted antiferromagnetic phase can host exotic topological surface states with a Möbius twist that are protected by nonsymmorphic symmetry. Moreover, opposite surfaces hosting Möbius fermions are connected by one-dimensional chiral hinge modes, which offers the first material candidate of a higher-order topological Möbius insulator. We uncover a general mechanism to feasibly induce this exotic physics by applying a small in-plane magnetic field to the antiferromagnetic topological insulating phase of MnBi_{2n}Te_{3n+1}, as well as other proposed axion insulators. For other magnetic configurations, two classes of inversion-protected higher-order topological phases are ubiquitous in this system, which both manifest gapped surfaces and gapless chiral hinge modes. We systematically discuss their classification, microscopic mechanisms, and experimental signatures. Remarkably, the magnetic-field-induced transition between distinct chiral hinge mode configurations provides an effective "topological magnetic switch".

Switchable Polymer Materials Controlled by Rotaxane Macromolecular Switches.

The synthesis and dynamic nature of macromolecular systems controlled by rotaxane macromolecular switches are introduced to discuss the significance of rotaxane linking of polymer chains and its topological switching. Macromolecular switches have been synthesized from macromolecular [2]rotaxanes (M2Rs) using sec-ammonium salt/crown ether couples. The successful synthesis of M2Rs possessing a single polymer axle and one crown ether wheel, constituting a key component of the macromolecular switch, has allowed us to develop various unique applications such as the development of topology-transformable polymers. Polymer topological transformations (e.g., linear–star and linear–cyclic) are achieved using rotaxane-linked polymers and rotaxane macromolecular switches. The pronounced dynamic nature of these polymer systems is sufficiently interesting to design sophisticated stimuli-responsive molecules, polymers, and materials.

Importance of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycles on lipid-dependent modulation of membrane protein topology by posttranslational phosphorylation

Posttranslational modifications of proteins, such as phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, play critical roles in cellular functions through diverse cell signaling pathways. Protein kinases and phosphatases have been described early on as key regulatory elements of the phosphorylated state of proteins. Tight spatial and temporal regulation of protein kinase and phosphatase activities has to be achieved in the cell to ensure accurate signal transduction. We demonstrated previously that phosphorylation of a membrane protein can lead to its topological rearrangement. Additionally, we found that both the rate and extent of topological rearrangement upon phosphorylation are lipid charge- and lipid environment-dependent. Here, using a model membrane protein (the bacterial lactose permease LacY reconstituted in proteoliposomes) and a combination of real-time measurements and steady-state assessments of protein topology, we established a set of experimental conditions to dissect the effects of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a membrane protein on its topological orientation. We also demonstrate that the phosphorylation-induced topological switch of a membrane protein can be reversed upon protein dephosphorylation, revealing a new regulatory role for phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycles. Furthermore, we determined that the rate of topological rearrangement reversal is correlated with phosphatase activity and is influenced by the membrane's lipid composition, presenting new insights into the spatiotemporal control of the protein phosphorylation state. Together, our results highlight the importance of the compartmentalization of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycles in controlling membrane protein topology and, therefore, function, which are influenced by the local lipid environment of the membrane protein.