Observation of non-Hermitian topology and its bulk–edge correspondence in an active mechanical metamaterial

Topological edge modes are excitations that are localized at the materials' edges and yet are characterized by a topological invariant defined in the bulk. Such bulk-edge correspondence has enabled the creation of robust electronic, electromagnetic, and mechanical transport properties across a wide range of systems, from cold atoms to metamaterials, active matter, and geophysical flows. Recently, the advent of non-Hermitian topological systems-wherein energy is not conserved-has sparked considerable theoretical advances. In particular, novel topological phases that can only exist in non-Hermitian systems have been introduced. However, whether such phases can be experimentally observed, and what their…