Topological interface states in multiscale spoof-insulator-spoof waveguides

The spoof-insulator-spoof (SIS) structure can serve as a waveguide for spoof surface plasmon polaritons (spoof SPPs). If a periodic geometry modulation in the wavelength scale is introduced to the SIS waveguide, this multiscale SIS (MSIS) waveguide possesses band gaps for spoof SPPs analogous to the band gaps in a photonic crystal. Inspired by the topological interface states found in photonic crystals, we construct an interface by connecting two MSIS waveguides with different topological properties (inverted Zak phases of bulk bands). The topological interface states in the MSIS waveguides are observed experimentally. The measured decay lengths of the interface states agree excellently with the numerical results. These localized interface states may find potential applications in miniaturized microwave devices. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America