Boosting topological zero modes using elastomer waveguide arraysBoosting topological zero modes using elastomer waveguide arrays Επιστολή Letter 2024-02-272022enWe employ the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model in elastic polymer waveguide arrays to design and realize traveling topologically protected modes. The observed delocalization of the optical field for superluminal defect velocities agrees well with theoretical descriptions. We apply mechanical strain to modulate the lattices’ coupling coefficient. This work demonstrates a novel, to the best of our knowledge, platform for rapid prototyping of topological photonic devices and establishes strain-tuning as a viable design parameter for topological waveguide arrays.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Optics Letters47184620-4623 Frank Angelina Leykam Daniel Smirnova Daria A. Angelakis Dimitrios Αγγελακης Δημητριος Ling Alexander Optica Publishing Group Bend loss CCD cameras Optical fields Photonic devices Polymer waveguides Waveguide design