Supersymmetric Transformations of Photonic Topological Systems

Supersymmetric transformations (SUSY) are a set of powerful mathematical techniques with many fields of application ranging from non-relativistic quantum mechanics to optics [1]. In this work, we explore how these techniques can enrich topological photonics [2]. We synthesize superpartner structures of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model by removing specific eigenvalues of the system. The fundamental structures and their superpartners are experimentally implemented by means of femtosecond laser direct writing, allowing us to directly observe light propagation via fluorescence microscopy. In this vein, we demonstrate how SUSY transformations can be used to engineer the topological properties of the system.