Observation of biased random-flux-induced topological phase transition in gyromagnetic photonic crystals
The interplay between disorder and topological states has attracted growing interest. While previous studies have primarily addressed the effects of geometric or potential randomness, the exploration of topological phase transitions driven by random-flux remains experimentally elusive. Here, we report the first experimental realization of topological phase transitions driven by biased random-flux in gyromagnetic photonic crystals. By stochastically orienting the magnetization of constituent gyromagnetic rods, we implement a disordered Haldane model in which the sign of the next-nearest-neighbor hopping phases is randomly distributed. We demonstrate that the bulk band gap closes when the densities of positive and negative flux are balanced, i.e, restoring time-reversal symmetry in a statistical sense, and reopens when a net positive or negative flux is introduced. Microwave near-field measurements directly visualize the reversal of chiral edge states, confirming a transition between distinct topological phases. Our results establish a unique disorder-driven mechanism for realizing topological phase transitions and deepen our understanding of the interplay between disorder and topological phases in bosonic systems.