Experimental Observation of Topological Disclination States in Lossy Electric Circuits

Abstract

Topological phase transitions can be remarkably induced purely by manipulating gain and loss mechanisms, offering a novel approach to engineering topological properties. Recent theoretical studies have revealed gain-loss-induced topological disclination states, along with the associated fractional charge trapped at the disclination sites. Here, we present the experimental demonstration of topological disclination states in a purely lossy electric circuit. By designing alternating lossy electric circuit networks that correspond to the disclination lattice, we observe a voltage response localized at the disclination sites and demonstrate the robustness of these states against disorder. Furthermore, we measure the charge distribution, confirming the presence of fractional charge at the disclination sites, which gives rise to the topological disclination states. Our experiment provides direct evidence of gain-loss-induced topological disclination states in electric circuits, opening new possibilities for applications in classical systems.