Topological Metamaterials

In this talk, I discuss our recent research activity in electromagnetics, nano-optics, acoustics and mechanics, showing how suitably tailored meta-atoms and arrangements of them open exciting venues to induce topological order for light, radio-waves and sound, mimicking the response of electronic topological insulators. Our approaches are based on using suitably tailored mechanical motion, spatio-temporal modulation, large nonlinearities in coupled resonator systems, and bianisotropy in order to induce the required symmetry breaking in periodic systems that yields topologically nontrivial wave propagation. In the talk, I will also discuss the impact of these concepts from basic science to practical technology.