Feature issue introduction: Topological photonics and materials

Photonic crystals have become a very common and powerful concept in optics since its introduction in the 1980s by Eli Yablonovitch and Sajeev John. It is in fact a concept borrowed from condensed matter physics. The discussion of photonic bands and bandgaps allows us to manipulate light on an optical chip, along a photonic crystal fiber and even in the quantum optics regime. Now, we are witnessing another round of concept translation again from condensed matter physics to optics about topology. Describing photonic bands by using their topology in the reciprocal space gives us a new tool to understand wave propagation and to design optical components. Topology is also an important aspect in light-matter interaction in the field of metamaterials and 2D materials.