Meissner-like Currents of Photons in Anomalous Superradiant Phases
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 163601 – Published 14 October, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/qj5x-t71k
Abstract
We present Meissner-like photon currents in a quantum Rabi zigzag chain under staggered synthetic magnetic fields. The ground state of the Meissner superradiant phase hosts persistent chiral edge currents in a sequence of cancellation of antiparallel vortex pairs, akin to surface currents of the Meissner effect in superconductors. The Meissner phase displays distinct vortex structures and anomalous scaling exponents, arising from geometric frustration effects. Modifying the staggered flux triggers transitions to even- or odd-vortex superradiant phases, where the chiral edge currents flow exclusively in even or odd cavities with localized vortices, respectively. Enhanced interspecies interactions induce the vanishing of currents in a ferromagnetic superradiant phase. Our results enable observation of stabilized photon vortices and edge currents with analogy to quantum Hall-like robustness in light-matter coupling systems.
