Non-Hermitian corner skin effect in a two-dimensional photonic crystal
Phys. Rev. B 113, 205403 – Published 1 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/gvcy-vsvd
Abstract
We numerically study topological effects of electromagnetic (EM) waves in a two-dimensional non-Hermitian photonic crystal composed of lossy magneto-optical materials. In this system, not only the EM wave functions but also the complex eigenfrequencies exhibit nontrivial topological properties. We demonstrate that the non-Hermitian skin effect, protected by point gaps in the complex eigenfrequency spectrum, emerges at both the edges and corners of truncated structures. This phenomenon has no counterpart in Hermitian systems. In addition, we identify non-Hermitian topological edge states originating from the nontrivial topology of the bulk bands. While most previous studies of non-Hermitian topology have focused on tight-binding models, our work addresses a continuous photonic system, providing a more realistic platform and offering a concrete route toward experimental realization of non-Hermitian effects.
