Optical skyrmions and other topological quasiparticles of light

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in the study of optical skyrmions and topological quasiparticles of light, covering their theoretical foundations, generation methods, and potential applications in modern photonics and quantum technologies.

Contribution

It provides a unified framework for understanding optical skyrmions, including their classification, generation, topological control, and the exploration of new classes of topological quasiparticles in light.

Findings

Optical skyrmions exhibit versatile topological characteristics.

Generation and control methods for optical skyrmions are advancing.

Applications span spin-optics, imaging, metrology, and quantum technologies.

Abstract

Skyrmions are topologically stable quasiparticles that have been predicted and demonstrated in quantum fields, solid-state physics, and magnetic materials, but only recently observed in electromagnetic fields, triggering fast expanding research across different spectral ranges and applications. Here we review the recent advances in optical skyrmions within a unified framework. Starting from fundamental theories, including classification of skyrmionic states, we describe generation and topological control of different kinds of optical skyrmions in structured and time-dependent optical fields. We further highlight generalized classes of optical topological quasiparticles beyond skyrmions and outline the emerging applications, future trends, and open challenges. A complex vectorial field structure of optical quasiparticles with versatile topological characteristics emerges as an important feature in modern spin-optics, imaging and metrology, optical forces, structured light and topological and quantum technologies.