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  • Featured in Physics
  • Open Access

Quasicrystal Topological Hydrodynamics

Jun-liang Duan1,2,*, Chuanjie Hu2,3,*, Jiayun Ning4,*, Xu-jie Chai1, Li-Wei Wang5,6,7, Yang Dong1, Jianjun Liu4, Shan Zhu8, Huanyang Chen2,8,† et al.

Jian-Hua Jiang5,6,7,‡ and Jin-hui Chen1,2,8,§

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: kenyon@xmu.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: jhjiang3@ustc.edu.cn
  • §Contact author: jimchen@xmu.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. X 16, 031078 – Published 29 September, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/rfgr-n77g

Abstract

Quasicrystals extend topological concepts beyond periodic systems, but their exploration in mechanical wave systems remains elusive. Here, we experimentally realize two-dimensional quasicrystal water waves with fivefold rotational symmetry via the interference of multiple quasiplane waves. Although topologically indistinguishable in real space, these patterns are uniquely classified by higher-dimensional topological charge vectors that obey an angular-momentum-like conservation law. Using the water-wave amplitude and its in-plane gradient, we construct a synthetic three-dimensional vector field and demonstrate the emergence of skyrmions in water-wave quasicrystals. These skyrmions exhibit dynamically evolving boundaries and orientations, i.e., deformation and propagation due to phasonlike motion during the evolution of the quasicrystal water-wave field. Remarkably, the associated phase singularities can generate forces and torques that stably trap and drive the rotation of floating particles. We demonstrate in experiments the simultaneous manipulation of particles at multiple trapping sites in different ways, opening a path toward programmable control of particle dynamics. By bridging higher-dimensional topology with water-wave quasicrystals and skyrmions, our work not only advances the physics of topological hydrodynamics but also establishes a platform for on-demand particle control in aqueous environments, which is promising for applications in biomedicine, microfluidics, and lab-on-a-chip technologies.

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synopsis

Quasicrystalline Water Waves

Published 29 September, 2026

A pattern of surface waves bestowed with fivefold symmetry hosts topological structures.

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Popular Summary

Quasicrystal materials have unlocked new frontiers in topological physics, yet their exploration in classical mechanical wave systems has remained largely uncharted. We experimentally created 2D pentagonal quasicrystal water waves with embedded hydrodynamic skrymions that have dynamically evolving boundaries and orientations. However, their global topological stability remains intact across wave cycles. The phase singularities in the waves generate coherent, location-dependent forces and torques on floating particles. These wave-induced effects stably trap particles, and the local topological structure of the waves drives the particles’ rotation. We demonstrate simultaneous, multiple particle manipulation where floating particles can rotate in the same or opposite direction at different positions. We establish water-wave quasicrystals as a versatile platform for studying topological phenomena in aperiodic matter. This system enables programmable, noninvasive control of floating particles with transformative potential for biomedicine, microfluidics, and lab-on-a-chip technologies, where precise manipulation of cells, microspheres, and biological aggregates in water is critical.

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Phys. Rev. X 16, 031078– Published 29 September, 2026
  • Received 8 March 2026
  • Accepted 29 July 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

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