Fractional optical skyrmions

TL;DR

This paper introduces fractional optical Skyrmions created by structuring light with non-integer orbital angular momentum, revealing abrupt transition jumps in skyrmion number and expanding the scope of optical topologies for communication and sensing.

Contribution

First experimental creation of fractional Skyrmions using vectorial superposition of non-integer orbital angular momentum, demonstrating new topological phenomena.

Findings

Observation of abrupt transition jumps in skyrmion number

Experimental results align with simulations

Revealing new optical topologies for potential applications

Abstract

Optical topologies in the form of Skyrmions have attracted significant interest of late, where their integer Skyrmion number has been shown to be robust to complex media. Here we create the first fractional Skyrmions by structuring light as a vectorial superposition of non-integer orbital angular momentum. We unravel the map structure to reveal a new phenomenon, the abrupt transition jumps in skyrmion number, which serves to reinforce the integer nature of skyrmion topologies. Our experimental demonstration agrees well with simulation, opening a new spectrum of optical topologies to explore, with exciting possibilities in optical communication and sensing.