Edge States Propagation within h-BN Topological Photonic Structures in UV-Vis Spectrum

In this work, the properties of edge states within h-BN topological photonic structures in the UV-Vis spectrum are investigated using full-field electromagnetic simulation based on the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. An h-BN photonic structure with non-trivial band topology is constructed by deforming a photonic crystal with a 6-fold symmetric honeycomb-like lattice. By pairing the topological structure with its topologically trivial counterpart, we observed the topologically protected edge states propagating along the interface between the two structures. The stability of edge states is manifested by their robust transport through a zigzag waveguide with eight 120° bends. The edge states’ polarization-resolved unidirectionality differentiates themselves from guided modes supported by the line defects within traditional photonic crystals. These findings will lay a basis for the interaction of topological photonic phenomena and other engaging optical properties of h-BN in the UV-Vis spectrum.