Higher-order topological metasurface based on split-ring resonators with dipole-quadrupole couplings

Abstract

Photonic higher-order topological insulators (HOTI) are characterized by a hierarchy of topologically-protected states with different dimensionalities, making them especially interesting for potential applications that combine strong localization of electromagnetic fields and their robust waveguiding. However, their practical implementation often requires expensive processing techniques and is limited by accessible material parameters. In this paper, we demonstrate that a radio-frequency photonic HOTI can be implemented as a metasurface composed of split-ring resonators with couplings between dipole and quadrupole modes. We verify, by numerical simulations and experimentally at frequencies of 1.5-1.7 GHz, that a proposed metasurface supports corner- and edge-localized states. Our results reveal a scalable and easily reconfigurable GHz-range platform that employs printed circuit board technology, thus making crucial steps required for further experimental studies of photonic HOTI and the development of their microwave applications.