A remarkable feature of the trimer Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH3) model is that it supports localized edge states. However, in contrast to the dimer version of the model, a change in the total number of edge states in SSH3 without mirror-symmetry is not necessarily associated with a phase transition, i.e., a closing of the band gap. As such, the topological invariant predicted by the 10-fold way classification does not always coincide with the total number of edge states present. Moreover, although Zak's phase remains quantized for the case of a mirror-symmetric chain, it is known that it fails to take integer values in the absence of this symmetry and thus it cannot play the role of a well-defined bulk invariant in the general case. Attempts to establish a bulk-edge correspondence have been made via Green's functions or through extensions to a synthetic dimension. Here we propose a simple alternative for SSH3, utilizing the previously introduced sublattice Zak's phase, which also remains valid in the absence of mirror symmetry and for noncommensurate chains. The defined bulk quantity takes integer values, is gauge invariant, and can be interpreted as the difference of the number of edge states between a reference and a target Hamiltonian. Our derivation further predicts the exact corrections for finite open chains, is straightforwardly generalizable, and invokes a chiral-like symmetry present in this model.

We examine the role of strong nonlinearity on the topologically robust edge state in a one-dimensional system. We consider a chain inspired from the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model but with a finite-frequency edge state and the dynamics governed by second-order differential equations. We introduce a cubic onsite nonlinearity and study this nonlinear effect on the edge state's frequency and linear stability. Nonlinear continuation reveals that the edge state loses its typical shape enforced by the chiral symmetry and becomes generally unstable due to various types of instabilities that we analyze using a combination of spectral stability and Krein signature analysis. This results in an initially excited nonlinear-edge state shedding its energy into the bulk over a long time. However, the stability trends differ both qualitatively and quantitatively when softening and stiffening types of nonlinearity are considered. In the latter, we find a frequency regime where nonlinear edge states can be linearly stable. This enables high-amplitude edge states to remain spatially localized without shedding their energy, a feature that we have confirmed via long-time dynamical simulations. Finally, we examine the robustness of frequency and stability of nonlinear edge states against disorder, and find that those are more robust under a chiral disorder compared to a nonchiral disorder. Moreover, the frequency-regime where high-amplitude edge states were found to be linearly stable remains intact in the presence of a small amount of disorder of both types.

A design paradigm of topology has recently emerged to manipulate the flow of phonons. At its heart lies a topological transition to a nontrivial state with exotic properties. This framework has been limited to linear lattice dynamics so far. Here we show a topological transition in a nonlinear regime and its implication in emerging nonlinear solutions. We employ nonlinearity management such that the system consists of masses connected with two types of nonlinear springs, “stiffening” and “softening” types, alternating along the length. We show, analytically and numerically, that the lattice makes a topological transition simply by changing the excitation amplitude and invoking nonlinear dynamics. Consequently, we witness the emergence of a family of finite-frequency edge modes, not observed in linear phononic systems. We also report the existence of kink solitons at the topological transition point. These correspond to heteroclinic orbits that form a closed curve in the phase portrait separating the two topologically distinct regimes. These findings suggest that nonlinearity can be used as a strategic tuning knob to alter topological characteristics of phononic crystals. These also provide fresh perspectives towards understanding a different family of nonlinear solutions in light of topology.

We numerically investigate the topological phase transition induced purely by disorder in a spring-mass chain. We employ two types of disorders—chiral and random types—to explore the interplay between topology and disorder. By tracking the evolution of real-space topological invariants, we obtain the topological phase diagrams and demonstrate the bilateral capacity of disorder to drive topological transitions, from topologically nontrivial to trivial and vice versa. The corresponding transition is accompanied by the realization of a mechanical topological Anderson insulator. The findings from this study hint that the combination of disorder and topology can serve as an efficient control knob to manipulate the transfer of mechanical energy.

We study the two-dimensional extension of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in its higher-order topological insulator phase, which is known to host corner states. Using the separability of the model into a product of one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains, we analytically describe the eigenmodes, and specifically the zero-energy level, which includes states localized in corners. We then consider networks with disordered hopping coefficients that preserve the chiral (sublattice) symmetry of the model. We show that the corner mode and its localization properties are robust against disorder if the hopping coefficients have a vanishing flux on appropriately defined superplaquettes. We then show how this model with disorder can be realized using an acoustic network of air channels, and confirm the presence and robustness of corner modes.