Boosting topological zero modes using elastomer waveguide arrays.

We employ the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in elastic polymer waveguide arrays to design and realize traveling topologically protected modes. The observed delocalization of the optical field for superluminal defect velocities agrees well with theoretical descriptions. We apply mechanical strain to modulate the lattices' coupling coefficient.

Dark soliton detection using persistent homology.

Classifying images often requires manual identification of qualitative features. Machine learning approaches including convolutional neural networks can achieve accuracy comparable to human classifiers but require extensive data and computational resources to train. We show how a topological data analysis technique, persistent homology, can be used to rapidly and reliably identify qualitative features in experimental image data.

Spectroscopic signatures of localization with interacting photons in superconducting qubits.

Quantized eigenenergies and their associated wave functions provide extensive information for predicting the physics of quantum many-body systems. Using a chain of nine superconducting qubits, we implement a technique for resolving the energy levels of interacting photons. We benchmark this method by capturing the main features of the intricate energy spectrum predicted for two-dimensional electrons in a magnetic field-the Hofstadter butterfly.

Tunable Polarons in Bose-Einstein Condensates.

A toolbox for the quantum simulation of polarons in ultracold atoms is presented. Motivated by the impressive experimental advances in the area of ultracold atomic mixtures, we theoretically study the problem of ultracold atomic impurities immersed in a Bose-Einstein condensate mixture (BEC). The coupling between impurity and BEC gives rise to the formation of polarons whose mutual interaction can be effectively tuned using an external laser driving a quasi-resonant Raman transition between the BEC components.