Polarisation conversion and optical meron topologies in anisotropic epsilon-near-zero metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how anisotropic epsilon-near-zero plasmonic metamaterials can manipulate light polarization and generate complex topological field structures like merons, advancing control in optical applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control polarization and generate meron topologies in vector vortex beams using anisotropic plasmonic nanorod metamaterials.

Findings

Enhanced spin-orbit coupling enables polarization control.

Meron topologies can be manipulated via input ellipticity.

Potential applications in optical manipulation and quantum technologies.

Abstract

Plasmonic metamaterials provide a flexible platform for light manipulation and polarisation management, thanks to their engineered optical properties with exotic dispersion regimes. Here, we exploit the enhanced spin-orbit coupling induced by the strong anisotropy of plasmonic nanorod metamaterials to control the polarisation of vector vortex beams and generate complex field structures with meron topology. Modifying the degree of ellipticity of the input polarisation, we show how the observed meron topology can be additionally manipulated. Flexible control of the state of polarisation of vortex beams is important in optical manipulation, communications, metrology and quantum technologies.