Objective The concept of topology has proven very powerful in predicting and explaining a range of intriguing phenomena for the behaviour of electrons in solid-state materials, including the existence of topological phases that offer robust transport with unusual characteristics. This program aims to create and study topological behaviour for sound in systems that couple light and mechanical motion through radiation pressure. I will realize on-chip nano-optomechanical systems where many optical and mechanical modes interact. Through this interaction, suitable laser illumination will induce phononic transport with properties that are not found in any natural material. In particular, they will establish topologically nontrivial acoustic phases that we will create and explore in space and time using a new optical measurement technique. The induced behaviour crucially depends on the extreme coupling between optical fields and nanomechanical resonators when both are confined at the nanoscale. I aim to study three manifestations of topological behaviour: (1) The creation of an acoustic quantum Hall phase, in which topologically protected unidirectional sound propagation should emerge, in edge modes that are robust against disorder. (2) The formation of a new type of topological insulator arising from optomechanical nonlinearity, supporting topological acoustic solitons with unusual dynamics. (3) The breaking of parity-time symmetry in mechanical systems that undergo both optical damping and amplification, a phase transition with unique topological properties. Fields of science natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2017-STG - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2017-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Coordinator STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN Net EU contribution € 1 500 000,00 Address Winthontlaan 2 3526 KV Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN Netherlands Net EU contribution € 1 500 000,00 Address Winthontlaan 2 3526 KV Utrecht See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
