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Topological boundary modes in electronic and classical-wave systems exhibit fascinating properties. In photonics, topological nature of boundary modes can make them robust and endows them with an additional internal structure--pseudo-spins. Here, we introduce heterogeneous boundary modes, which are based on mixing two of the most widely used topological photonics platforms--the pseudo-spin-Hall-like and valley-Hall photonic topological insulators. We predict and confirm experimentally that transformation between the two, realized by altering the lattice geometry, enables a continuum of boundary states carrying both pseudo-spin and valley degrees of freedom (DoFs). When applied adiabatically, this leads to conversion between pseudo-spin and valley polarization. We show that such evolution gives rise to a geometrical phase associated with the synthetic gauge fields, which is confirmed via an Aharonov-Bohm type experiment on a silicon chip. Our results unveil a versatile approach to manipulating properties of topological photonic states and envision topological photonics as a powerful platform for devices based on synthetic DoFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on photonics conducted by a group of researchers and published in the journal "Science Advance." The study explores the use of Dirac-like dispersion in photonic systems to create spin-degenerate artificial optical resonators that are compatible with spin-full topological photonic structures, potentially opening up new avenues for designing nanophotonic devices, spin-full resonators, and topological light sources.

The article focuses on efficient nonreciprocal mode transitions in spatiotemporally modulated acoustic metamaterials. Topics include the mechanism relies on the coupling between an ultrathin membrane and external biasing electromagnetic fields, realizing programmable dynamic control of the acoustic impedance over a motionless and noiseless platform, and the fast and flexible impedance modulation of our metamaterial imparts an effective unidirectional momentum in space-time.

The article presents physics research on reconfigurable Floquet elastodynamic topological insulator based on synthetic angular momentum bias. Topics discussed include originating with the discovery of the quantum Hall effect (QHE) in condensed matter physics, topological order has been receiving increased attention also for classical wave phenomena; and topological protection enables efficient and robust signal transport; mechanical topological insulators (TIs).

The article cites a research study that describes a new class of photonic systems result in bandgap opening at one of the spin-valley photonics, whereas the other valley exhibits Dirac-like conical dispersion. It shows a robust pseudospin- and valley-polarized one-way Klein tunneling, exhibiting marked implications on photon transport.