Optical polarization skyrmionic fields in free space
Optics
2022-03-18 v2
Abstract
We construct optical beams in free space with robust skyrmionic structures in their polarization fields, both in the electric spin vector for near-circular fields and in the polarization direction for near-linear fields, and for both Bloch (spiral) and N\'eel (hedgehog) textures. These structures are made possible by the spin-orbit coupling of tightly-focused nonparaxial optics as applied to higher-order Full-Poincar\'e beams, as well as by standing-wave configurations comprising forwards- and backwards-propagating waves. Our constructions show near-uniform circular and linear polarizations, providing a high degree of topological protection in the absence of nonlinear interactions.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2101.09254,
title = {Optical polarization skyrmionic fields in free space},
author = {Rodrigo Gutiérrez-Cuevas and Emilio Pisanty},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2101.09254},
year = {2022}
}