Incoherence-assisted mode excitation in non-Hermitian resonant systems

Abstract

We introduce and experimentally demonstrate an approach for selective mode excitation in non-Hermitian resonant systems using incoherent light. This method eliminates the need for precise phase control that is often required in coherent excitation schemes. Using this technique on a silicon photonic platform with coupled ring resonators, we successfully excite the topological edge state of a non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. Our work shows that incoherence-assisted excitation is a robust and passive strategy for topological state preparation, which broadens the scope of non-Hermitian topological photonics thereby providing a practical and experimentally viable tool for selective mode excitation.