The current understanding of the role of topology in non-Hermitian (NH) systems and its far-reaching physical consequences observable in a range of dissipative settings are reviewed. In particular, how the paramount and genuinely NH concept of exceptional degeneracies, at which both eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce, leads to phenomena drastically distinct from the familiar Hermitian realm is discussed. An immediate consequence is the ubiquitous occurrence of nodal NH topological phases with concomitant open Fermi-Seifert surfaces, where conventional band-touching points are replaced by the aforementioned exceptional degeneracies. Furthermore, new notions of gapped phases including topological phases in single-band systems are detailed, and the manner in which a given physical context may affect the symmetry-based topological classification is clarified. A unique property of NH systems with relevance beyond the field of topological phases consists of the anomalous relation between bulk and boundary physics, stemming from the striking sensitivity of NH matrices to boundary conditions. Unifying several complementary insights recently reported in this context, a picture of intriguing phenomena such as the NH bulk-boundary correspondence and the NH skin effect is put together. Finally, applications of NH topology in both classical systems including optical setups with gain and loss, electric circuits, and mechanical systems and genuine quantum systems such as electronic transport settings at material junctions and dissipative cold-atom setups are reviewed.

Exceptional topology of non-Hermitian systems

A unique feature of non-Hermitian systems is the skin effect, which is the extreme sensitivity to the boundary conditions. Here, we reveal that the skin effect originates from intrinsic non-Hermitian topology. Such a topological origin not merely explains the universal feature of the known skin effect, but also leads to new types of the skin effects---symmetry-protected skin effects. In particular, we discover the ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ skin effect protected by time-reversal symmetry. On the basis of topological classification, we also discuss possible other skin effects in arbitrary dimensions. Our work provides a unified understanding about the bulk-boundary correspondence and the skin effects in non-Hermitian systems.

Topological Origin of Non-Hermitian Skin Effects.

Bulk–boundary correspondence, a guiding principle in topological matter, relates robust edge states to bulk topological invariants. Its validity, however, has so far been established only in closed systems. Recent theoretical studies indicate that this principle requires fundamental revisions for a wide range of open systems with effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. Therein, the intriguing localization of nominal bulk states at boundaries, known as the non-Hermitian skin effect, suggests a non-Bloch band theory in which non-Bloch topological invariants are defined in generalized Brillouin zones, leading to a general bulk–boundary correspondence beyond the conventional framework. Here, we experimentally observe this fundamental non-Hermitian bulk–boundary correspondence in discrete-time non-unitary quantum-walk dynamics of single photons. We demonstrate pronounced photon localizations near boundaries even in the absence of topological edge states, thus confirming the non-Hermitian skin effect. Facilitated by our experimental scheme of edge-state reconstruction, we directly measure topological edge states, which are in excellent agreement with the non-Bloch topological invariants. Our work unequivocally establishes the non-Hermitian bulk–boundary correspondence as a general principle underlying non-Hermitian topological systems and paves the way for a complete understanding of topological matter in open systems. Measurements of non-Hermitian photon dynamics show boundary-localized bulk eigenstates given by the non-Hermitian skin effect. A fundamental revision of the bulk–boundary correspondence in open systems is required to understand the underlying physics.

Non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence in quantum dynamics

Non-Hermiticity enriches topological phases beyond the existing Hermitian framework. Whereas their unusual features with no Hermitian counterparts were extensively explored, a full understanding about the role of symmetry in non-Hermitian physics has still been elusive, and there remains an urgent need to establish their topological classification in view of rapid theoretical and experimental progress. Here, we develop a complete theory of symmetry and topology in non-Hermitian physics. We demonstrate that non-Hermiticity ramifies the celebrated Altland-Zirnbauer symmetry classification for insulators and superconductors. In particular, charge conjugation is defined in terms of transposition rather than complex conjugation due to the lack of Hermiticity, and hence chiral symmetry becomes distinct from sublattice symmetry. It is also shown that non-Hermiticity enables a Hermitian-conjugate counterpart of the Altland-Zirnbauer symmetry. Taking into account sublattice symmetry or pseudo-Hermiticity as an additional symmetry, the total number of symmetry classes is 38 instead of 10, which describe intrinsic non-Hermitian topological phases as well as non-Hermitian random matrices. Furthermore, due to the complex nature of energy spectra, non-Hermitian systems feature two different types of complex-energy gaps, pointlike and linelike vacant regions. On the basis of these concepts and K-theory, we complete classification of non-Hermitian topological phases in arbitrary dimensions and symmetry classes. Remarkably, non-Hermitian topology depends on the type of complex-energy gaps, and multiple topological structures appear for each symmetry class and each spatial dimension, which are also illustrated in detail with concrete examples. Moreover, the bulk-boundary correspondence in non-Hermitian systems is elucidated within our framework, and symmetries preventing the non-Hermitian skin effect are identified. Our classification not only categorizes recently observed lasing and transport topological phenomena, but also predicts a new type of symmetry-protected topological lasers with lasing helical edge states and dissipative topological superconductors with nonorthogonal Majorana edge states. Furthermore, our theory provides topological classification of Hermitian and non-Hermitian free bosons. Our work establishes a theoretical framework for the fundamental and comprehensive understanding of non-Hermitian topological phases and paves the way toward uncovering unique phenomena and functionalities that emerge from the interplay of non-Hermiticity and topology.

Symmetry and Topology in Non-Hermitian Physics

Bulk-boundary correspondence, a central principle in topological matter relating bulk topological invariants to edge states, breaks down in a generic class of non-Hermitian systems that have so far eluded experimental effort. Here we theoretically predict and experimentally observe non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence, a fundamental generalization of the conventional bulk-boundary correspondence, in discrete-time non-unitary quantum-walk dynamics of single photons. We experimentally demonstrate photon localizations near boundaries even in the absence of topological edge states, thus confirming the non-Hermitian skin effect. Facilitated by our experimental scheme of edge-state reconstruction, we directly measure topological edge states, which match excellently with non-Bloch topological invariants calculated from localized bulk-state wave functions. Our work unequivocally establishes the non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence as a general principle underlying non-Hermitian topological systems, and paves the way for a complete understanding of topological matter in open systems.

Observation of non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence in quantum dynamics

In spatially periodic Hermitian systems, such as electronic systems in crystals, the band structure is described by the band theory in terms of the Bloch wave functions, which reproduce energy levels for large systems with open boundaries. In this paper, we establish a generalized Bloch band theory in one-dimensional spatially periodic tight-binding models. We show how to define the Brillouin zone in non-Hermitian systems. From this Brillouin zone, one can calculate continuum bands, which reproduce the band structure in an open chain. As an example, we apply our theory to the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. We also show the bulk-edge correspondence between the winding number and existence of the topological edge states.

Non-Bloch Band Theory of Non-Hermitian Systems.

Higher-order topology realizes topologically robust corner modes as a manifestation of nontriviality. We theoretically propose non-Hermitian skin effects which stem from the second-order topology of chiral-symmetric Hermitian systems. It is found that the skin modes are localized at the corners. We demonstrate two types of second-order topological skin effects by two-dimensional intrinsic and extrinsic second-order topology. The intrinsic second-order topological skin effect is characterized topologically by bulk inversion symmetry as well as chiral symmetry. Meanwhile, the extrinsic second-order topological skin effect occurs from the topological correspondence between the edges and corners. We show that non-Hermitian skin modes emerge by using a relationship between second-order and conventional first-order topology.

Second-order topological non-Hermitian skin effects

Diagonalization of a bosonic Bogoliubov--de Gennes system is intrinsically a non-Hermitian problem, although its Hamiltonian is Hermitian. Here, the authors study the non-Hermitian nature of bosonic Bogoliubov--de Gennes systems by constructing a non-Bloch band theory. Such systems have a unique non-Hermitian Brillouin zone, where Hermitian and non-Hermitian regions coexist. Accordingly, its non-Hermitian skin effect shows instability against infinitesimal instability and reentrant behavior.

Non-Bloch band theory in bosonic Bogoliubov-de Gennes systems

Non-Hermitian skin effects and exceptional points are topological phenomena characterized by integer winding numbers. In this study, we give methods to theoretically detect skin effects and exceptional points by generalizing inversion symmetry. The generalization of inversion symmetry is unique to non-Hermitian systems. We show that parities of the winding numbers can be determined from energy eigenvalues on the inversion-invariant momenta when generalized inversion symmetry is present. The simple expressions for the winding numbers allow us to easily analyze skin effects and exceptional points in non-Hermitian bands. We also demonstrate the methods for (second-order) skin effects and exceptional points by using lattice models.

Non-Hermitian band topology with generalized inversion symmetry

Energy bands of non-Hermitian crystalline systems are described in terms of the generalized Brillouin zone (GBZ) having unique features which are absent in Hermitian systems. In this paper, we show that in one-dimensional non-Hermitian systems with both sublattice symmetry and time-reversal symmetry such as the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, a topological semimetal phase with exceptional points is stabilized by the unique features of the GBZ. Namely, under a change of a system parameter, the GBZ is deformed so that the system remains gapless. It is also shown that each energy band is divided into three regions, depending on the symmetry of the eigenstates, and the regions are separated by the cusps and the exceptional points in the GBZ.

Kazuki Yokomizo

Papers

Non-Bloch Band Theory of Non-Hermitian Systems.

Second-order topological non-Hermitian skin effects

Non-Bloch band theory in bosonic Bogoliubov-de Gennes systems

Non-Hermitian band topology with generalized inversion symmetry

Topological semimetal phase with exceptional points in one-dimensional non-Hermitian systems