Résumé
We investigate both entanglement and energy transport properties for two-level systems in the vicinity of a photonic topological insulator (PTI) interface, which supports a nonreciprocal (unidirectional), scattering-immune and topologically-protected surface plasmon polariton in the bandgap of the bulk material. Moreover, we demonstrate that despite the presence of considerable imperfections at the interface of the PTI, the efficiency of the SPP-assisted energy transport is almost unaffected by discontinuities. We also show that the SPP properties allow energy transport over considerably much larger distances then in the reciprocal case, and we point out a particularly simple way to tune the transport. Finally, we analyze the specific case of a two-emitter-chain and unveil the origin of the efficiency amplification. The efficiency amplification and the practical advantages highlighted in this work might be particularly useful in the development of new devices intended to manage energy at the atomic scale, e.g. in quantum technologies.