Ultra-robust topologically protected edge states in quasi-1D systems

In recent years, the study of topologically non-trivial structures in one-dimensional models has been dominated by the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model due to its simplicity in design and its ability to support edge states with robustness to disorder in couplings, protected by chiral and inversion symmetry. Here, we present a novel study on a zigzag quasi-one-dimensional model, which supports topologically protected edge states without relying on conventional symmetries. Our model utilises next-neighbour couplings to mediate edge states and is simultaneously resilient to dissipation, couplings and on-site energy disorders. In order to understand the topological properties of this model, we introduce a novel way to demonstrate the bulk-boundary correspondence of the edge states and construct a topological invariant that returns quantized values. Our study sheds light on the possibility of constructing topological phases in new ways, even in the absence of conventional symmetries, and opens up new avenues for research in this field. In addition, we demonstrate a possible photonic realization of these models with the help of an orbital-induced synthetic flux.