Hypermoiré and moiré singlet from laterally displaced non-periodic photonic slabs
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Moiré patterns have become a powerful platform for exploring emergent phenomena in both electronic and photonic systems. However, most studies to date have focused on periodic systems where a small twist or lattice mismatch generates a superlattice or a quasi-periodic order. Here we show that rich moiré states can also arise in non-periodic photonic structures in the absence of global translational or rotational symmetry. We present a reconfigurable platform of two concentric ring-patterned slabs and dynamically probe the optical response as a function of relative displacement. We reveal two distinct emergent regimes: the hypermoiré state, where interlayer coupling is distributed among multiple spatial channels to form a dense array of curved bands, and the moiré singlet, where interlayer coupling is funneled into a highly localized mode spanning the device. Our findings establish a route to tunable optical states in non-periodic bilayers and extend moiré photonics beyond periodic superlattices. Moiré patterns have revolutionized the study of emergent phenomena in electronic and photonic systems, yet most research has focused on periodic structures. Here, the authors demonstrate that non-periodic photonic structures can also host rich moiré states, revealing tunable optical states and expanding the potential of moiré photonics beyond traditional superlattice designs.
Source: Communications Physics
Authors: Xi Cheng, Huilin Mo, Zhenjie Duan, Hejie Peng, Leda Jia, Huan Jiang, Wenyu Zhao, Jian Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,990
OpenAlex ID: W7160621891