Topological optical Bloch oscillations in a deformed slab waveguide

Spatial Bloch oscillations of light waves of purely topological origin are theoretically shown to exist in weakly deformed slab waveguides. As the optical rays trapped in the deformed waveguide can roll freely, wave diffraction is strongly affected by the topology of the deformed surface, which can be tailored to simulate the effect of a tilted periodic refractive index.