Photonic lattices fabricated by femtosecond laser inscription provide a unique tool for the study of discrete phenomena [J. Phys. B 43, 163001 (2010)].

We take advantage of the mathematical equivalence of these waveguide arrays to solid state and quantum mechanical systems to study fundamental effects which elude observation in their conventional settings. Prominent examples are Bloch Oscillations [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 076802 (2009)], Dynamic Localization  [Nature Physi. 5, 271 (2009)], Zeno/Anti-Zeno dynamics [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 143602 (2008)], quantum random walks in Glauber-Fock lattices [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 103601 (2011)], complex surface Fano states [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 240403 (2013)], and even non-Hermitian wave evolution [Nature Commun. 4, 2533 (2013)].

Using this framework, we can even emulate synthetic dimensions. In this vein, we implemented the first topological insulator using synthetic dimensions [Nature 567, 356 (2019)] as well random walks in up to 7 dimensional structures [Nature Photon. 14, 76 (2020)].

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