Moiré patterns have become a powerful platform for exploring emergent phenomena in both electronic and photonic systems. However, most studies to date have focused on periodic systems where a small twist or lattice mismatch generates a superlattice or a quasi-periodic order. Here we show that rich moiré states can also arise in non-periodic photonic structures in the absence of global translational or rotational symmetry. We present a reconfigurable platform of two concentric ring-patterned slabs and dynamically probe the optical response as a function of relative displacement. We reveal two distinct emergent regimes: the hypermoiré state, where interlayer coupling is distributed among multiple spatial channels to form a dense array of curved bands, and the moiré singlet, where interlayer coupling is funneled into a highly localized mode spanning the device. Our findings establish a route to tunable optical states in non-periodic bilayers and extend moiré photonics beyond periodic superlattices. Moiré patterns have revolutionized the study of emergent phenomena in electronic and photonic systems, yet most research has focused on periodic structures. Here, the authors demonstrate that non-periodic photonic structures can also host rich moiré states, revealing tunable optical states and expanding the potential of moiré photonics beyond traditional superlattice designs.
Cheng et al. (Fri,) studied this question.