Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode
Generation of optical skyrmionic beams, topological textures of polarization Stokes vector in the transverse plane and propagating at the longitudinal axis provide a versatile platform for topologically nontrivial optical informatics and light–matter interactions. However, their acceleration along c...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AIP Publishing LLC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | APL Photonics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0255824 |
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| _version_ | 1850208361303244800 |
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| author | Haijun Wu Weijie Zhou Zhihan Zhu Yijie Shen |
| author_facet | Haijun Wu Weijie Zhou Zhihan Zhu Yijie Shen |
| author_sort | Haijun Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Generation of optical skyrmionic beams, topological textures of polarization Stokes vector in the transverse plane and propagating at the longitudinal axis provide a versatile platform for topologically nontrivial optical informatics and light–matter interactions. However, their acceleration along curved trajectories is to be studied. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate the first accelerating skyrmion lattices conveyed by Airy structured light, characterized by topologically stable skyrmion textures with self-acceleration along parabolic trajectories. We quantify topological stability using the Skyrme number Nsk, where |Nsk| = 1 represents an ideal skyrmion. Our experiments demonstrate that the skyrmion unit cell can maintain a Skyrme number |Nsk| > 0.9 within a propagation range of ±1.22 zR (zR is the Rayleigh length) upon parabolic acceleration. Notably, the meron structure remains |Nsk| stable within 0.5 ± 0.02 over a significantly extended range of ±3.06 zR. Our work provides a new potential carrier for topologically robust information distribution, particle sorting, and manipulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-17758fcfc7c94de2806fcc9c9d366cd6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2378-0967 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | AIP Publishing LLC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | APL Photonics |
| spelling | doaj-art-17758fcfc7c94de2806fcc9c9d366cd62025-08-20T02:10:16ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Photonics2378-09672025-05-01105050804050804-710.1063/5.0255824Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space modeHaijun Wu0Weijie Zhou1Zhihan Zhu2Yijie Shen3Wang Da-Heng Center, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Quantum Control, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, ChinaCentre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, SingaporeWang Da-Heng Center, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Quantum Control, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, ChinaCentre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, SingaporeGeneration of optical skyrmionic beams, topological textures of polarization Stokes vector in the transverse plane and propagating at the longitudinal axis provide a versatile platform for topologically nontrivial optical informatics and light–matter interactions. However, their acceleration along curved trajectories is to be studied. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate the first accelerating skyrmion lattices conveyed by Airy structured light, characterized by topologically stable skyrmion textures with self-acceleration along parabolic trajectories. We quantify topological stability using the Skyrme number Nsk, where |Nsk| = 1 represents an ideal skyrmion. Our experiments demonstrate that the skyrmion unit cell can maintain a Skyrme number |Nsk| > 0.9 within a propagation range of ±1.22 zR (zR is the Rayleigh length) upon parabolic acceleration. Notably, the meron structure remains |Nsk| stable within 0.5 ± 0.02 over a significantly extended range of ±3.06 zR. Our work provides a new potential carrier for topologically robust information distribution, particle sorting, and manipulation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0255824 |
| spellingShingle | Haijun Wu Weijie Zhou Zhihan Zhu Yijie Shen Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode APL Photonics |
| title | Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode |
| title_full | Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode |
| title_fullStr | Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode |
| title_short | Optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free-space mode |
| title_sort | optical skyrmion lattices accelerating in a free space mode |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0255824 |
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