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Customizing zero modes with arbitrary spatial profiles

Luohong Liu (刘烙宏), Qicheng Zhang (张起成)*, Shuaishuai Tong (童帅帅), and Chunyin Qiu (邱春印)†

  • Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

  • *Contact author: qicheng.zhang@whu.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: cyqiu@whu.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. B 114, L260304 – Published 12 November, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/55m8-lt2s

Abstract

Spectrally isolated zero modes (SIZMs) play a key role in diverse areas of physics and engineering. Typically, such modes depend on the lattice symmetry and manifest as spatially localized states. Here, we propose a simple yet universal mechanism for constructing SIZMs with arbitrary spatial profiles in any lattice. By introducing a zero-energy “head” site to a generic “body” lattice via unidirectional couplings, we realize a symmetry-independent yet energetically robust SIZM distributed over the body lattice. More importantly, we can precisely customize the spatial morphology of the SIZM, including not only its amplitude distribution but also its phase pattern, by flexibly tailoring the unidirectional couplings. Experimentally, we demonstrate this framework in our reconfigurable acoustic platform, showcasing diverse zero-mode morphologies across one-dimensional and two-dimensional systems. All experimental data show excellent agreement with simulations. Our work establishes a versatile and powerful paradigm for designing and controlling SIZMs, with promising applications across multidisciplinary fields.

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