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

Dissipation is a general feature of non-Hermitian systems. But rather than being an unavoidable nuisance, non-Hermiticity can be precisely controlled and hence used for sophisticated applications, such as optical sensors with enhanced sensitivity. In our work, we implement a non-Hermitian photonic mesh lattice by tailoring the anisotropy of the nearest-neighbor coupling. The appearance of an interface results in a complete collapse of the entire eigenmode spectrum, leading to an exponential localization of all modes at the interface. As a consequence, any light field within the lattice travels toward this interface, irrespective of its shape and input position. On the basis of this topological phenomenon, called the "non-Hermitian skin effect," we demonstrate a highly efficient funnel for light.

Topological Funneling of Light

A review is given on the foundations and applications of non-Hermitian classical and quantum physics. First, key theorems and central concepts in non-Hermitian linear algebra, including Jordan normal form, biorthogonality, exceptional points, pseudo-Hermiticity and parity-time symmetry, are delineated in a pedagogical and mathematically coherent manner. Building on these, we provide an overview of how diverse classical systems, ranging from photonics, mechanics, electrical circuits, acoustics to active matter, can be used to simulate non-Hermitian wave physics. In particular, we discuss rich and unique phenomena found therein, such as unidirectional invisibility, enhanced sensitivity, topological energy transfer, coherent perfect absorption, single-mode lasing, and robust biological transport. We then explain in detail how non-Hermitian operators emerge as an effective description of open quantum systems on the basis of the Feshbach projection approach and the quantum trajectory approach. We discuss their applications to physical systems relevant to a variety of fields, including atomic, molecular and optical physics, mesoscopic physics, and nuclear physics with emphasis on prominent phenomena/subjects in quantum regimes, such as quantum resonances, superradiance, continuous quantum Zeno effect, quantum critical phenomena, Dirac spectra in quantum chromodynamics, and nonunitary conformal field theories. Finally, we introduce the notion of band topology in complex spectra of non-Hermitian systems and present their classifications by providing the proof, firstly given by this review in a complete manner, as well as a number of instructive examples. Other topics related to non-Hermitian physics, including nonreciprocal transport, speed limits, nonunitary quantum walk, are also reviewed.

Non-Hermitian Physics

We develop the topological band theory for systems described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, whose energy spectra are generally complex. After generalizing the notion of gapped band structures to the non-Hermitian case, we classify ``gapped'' bands in one and two dimensions by explicitly finding their topological invariants. We find nontrivial generalizations of the Chern number in two dimensions, and a new classification in one dimension, whose topology is determined by the energy dispersion rather than the energy eigenstates. We then study the bulk-edge correspondence and the topological phase transition in two dimensions. Different from the Hermitian case, the transition generically involves an extended intermediate phase with complex-energy band degeneracies at isolated ``exceptional points'' in momentum space. We also systematically classify all types of band degeneracies.

Topological Band Theory for Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians

We show that the bulk-boundary correspondence for topological insulators can be modified in the presence of non-Hermiticity. We consider a one-dimensional tight-binding model with gain and loss as well as long-range hopping. The system is described by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian that encircles an exceptional point in momentum space. The winding number has a fractional value of 1/2. There is only one dynamically stable zero-energy edge state due to the defectiveness of the Hamiltonian. This edge state is robust to disorder due to protection by a chiral symmetry. We also discuss experimental realization with arrays of coupled resonator optical waveguides.

Anomalous Edge State in a Non-Hermitian Lattice

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

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

Parity-time (PT)-symmetric Hamiltonians have widespread significance in non-Hermitian physics. A PT-symmetric Hamiltonian can exhibit distinct phases with either real or complex eigenspectrum, while the transition points in between, the so-called exceptional points, give rise to a host of critical behaviors that holds great promise for applications. For spatially periodic non-Hermitian systems, PT symmetries are commonly characterized and observed in line with the Bloch band theory, with exceptional points dwelling in the Brillouin zone. Here, in nonunitary quantum walks of single photons, we uncover a novel family of exceptional points beyond this common wisdom. These "non-Bloch exceptional points" originate from the accumulation of bulk eigenstates near boundaries, known as the non-Hermitian skin effect, and inhabit a generalized Brillouin zone. Our finding opens the avenue toward a generalized PT-symmetry framework, and reveals the intriguing interplay between PT symmetry and non-Hermitian skin effect.

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Observation of Non-Bloch Parity-Time Symmetry and Exceptional Points.

Fixed Points and Dynamic Topological Phenomena in a Parity-Time-Symmetric Quantum Quench

We identify emergent topological phenomena such as dynamic Chern numbers and dynamic quantum phase transitions in quantum quenches of the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Hamiltonian with parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$) symmetry. Their occurrence in the non-unitary dynamics are intimately connected with fixed points in the Brillouin zone, where the states do not evolve in time. We construct a theoretical formalism for characterizing topological properties in non-unitary dynamics within the framework of biorthogonal quantum mechanics, and prove the existence of fixed points for quenches between distinct static topological phases in the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry-preserving regime. We then reveal the interesting relation between different dynamic topological phenomena through the momentum-time spin texture characterizing the dynamic process. For quenches involving Hamiltonians in the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry-broken regime, these topological phenomena are not ensured.

Tianshu Deng

Papers

Non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence in quantum dynamics

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

Observation of Non-Bloch Parity-Time Symmetry and Exceptional Points.

Fixed Points and Dynamic Topological Phenomena in a Parity-Time-Symmetric Quantum Quench

Fixed points and emergent topological phenomena in a parity-time-symmetric quantum quench