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Cited by 278Orbital Angular Momentum in OpticsNonlinear Photonic SystemsTopological Materials and Phenomena

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 47 of the 48 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 1 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Generation of Optical Skyrmions with Tunable Topological Textures

Open access
Shen, Yijie, Martínez, Eduardo Casas, Rosales-Guzmán, Carmelo·2022·ACS Photonics
DOI 10.1021/acsphotonics.1c01703
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Abstract

In recent times, the optical-analogous skyrmions, topological quasiparticles with sophisticated vectorial structures in light, have received an increasing amount of interest. Here we propose theortically and experimentally a generalized family of these, the tunable optical skyrmions, unveiling a new mechanism to transform between various skyrmionic topologies, including Néel, Bloch, and antiskyrmion types, via simple parametric tuning. In addition, a geometric Skyrme–Poincaré representation is proposed to visualize the complete topological evolution of tunable skyrmions, which we term the skyrmion torus. To generate the tunable optical skyrmions experimentally, we implemented a digital hologram system based on a spatial light modulator, the results of which show great agreement with our theoretical predictions.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper proposes and experimentally demonstrates a generalized family of tunable optical skyrmions whose topological textures can be transformed among Néel-, Bloch-, and antiskyrmion types via simple parametric tuning. It introduces a Skyrme-Poincaré sphere to map these topological transformations and realizes the skyrmions in Stokes vector fields of structured vector beams using a digital hologram system.

Key findings

  • A closed-form vector field with two additional parameters, φ₁ and φ₂, enables tuning among skyrmion topologies: φ₁ = φ₂ = φ gives Néel-type at φ = 0, π and Bloch-type at φ = π/2, 3π/2; φ₁ = 0, φ₂ = φ gives Néel-to-antiskyrmion transformation with antiskyrmion at φ = π; φ₁ = π/2, φ₂ = φ gives Bloch-to-antiskyrmion transformation with antiskyrmion at φ = 3π/2.
  • The skyrmion number is s = p·m, where m = 1 with γ = 0, π is Néel-type and γ = ±π/2 is Bloch-type, while m = −1 is anti-skyrmion; for normal polarity p = 1, s = 1 for Néel–Bloch tuning and s = −1 for anti-skyrmions.
  • The proposed Skyrme-Poincaré sphere maps topological evolution: the equator represents Néel/Bloch transformations, the poles represent anti-skyrmions, and it can be bidirectionally mapped to the conventional OAM Poincaré sphere.
  • The authors experimentally generated tunable Stokes skyrmions with an SLM-based digital hologram system, claiming the first experimental generation of topology-tunable optical skyrmions in free space and the first realization of optical anti-skyrmions, with “great agreement” to theory.

Methods

  • Theoretically, the authors derive a generalized skyrmionic vector field from a surface plasmon polariton model by adding parameters φ₁ and φ₂, then construct vector beams ψ = ψ₁R + ψ₂L whose spatial modes are derived from the skyrmion vector components and whose Stokes vector field forms the skyrmion.
  • Experimentally, they use a 632.8 nm HeNe laser, a spatial light modulator split into two independent hologram screens, spatial filtering, and a common-path triangular Sagnac interferometer with a polarizing beam splitter to generate and co-axially superpose the vector beams.
  • Skyrmions are reconstructed via Stokes polarimetry: intensities I_H, I_V, I_D, and I_R are measured with phase retarders and a CCD camera, and Stokes parameters are computed as S₀ = I_H + I_V, S₁ = 2I_H − S₀, S₂ = 2I_D − S₀, S₃ = 2I_R − S₀.

Limitations

  • The paper states that experimentally realizing the tunable skyrmions directly with surface plasmon polaritons would be cumbersome because φ₁ and φ₂ induce extreme conditions that are hard to fulfill, since stable SPP fields require rigorous conditions.
  • Evident from the text: the experimental demonstration is limited to Stokes vector fields of structured vector beams in free space; other proposed platforms such as tightly focused spin vectors, propagating structured pulses, and pseudospins in nonlinear media are suggested but not experimentally tested.
  • Evident from the text: the experimental agreement with theory is described qualitatively as “great agreement,” with no quantitative fidelity or error metrics reported.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1021/acsphotonics.1c01703

Cites

47 of 47 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

0 of 1 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § 2.2 Tunable optical skyrmions

    The Stokes vector field of the corresponding vector beam given by Eq. (5) shows a perfect Néel-type skyrmion.

    “The Stokes vector field of the corresponding vector beam given by Eq. ( 5) shows a perfect Néel-type skyrmion, as evinced in Figs.3(c,d).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § 3 Experiment

    The digital hologram system realized controlled generation of Stokes skyrmions with arbitrary topological textures on the Skyrme-Poincaré sphere.

    “With our digital hologram system, we realized a controlled generation of Stokes skyrmions with arbitrary topological textures on the Skyrme-Poincaré sphere.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § 3 Experiment

    Experimentally generated LG-based tunable Stokes skyrmions on typical points of the Skyrme-Poincaré sphere were obtained.

    “Figure 7 shows our experimentally generated LG-based results of tunable Stokes skyrmions on typical points of Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, including the measured intensity and polarization distributions, Stokes vector fields, and the zoom-in planforms of the vector field for clearly distinguishing the topological textures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    A digital hologram system based on a spatial light modulator experimentally generates tunable optical skyrmions in agreement with theoretical prediction.

    “To generate experimentally the tunable optical skyrmions we implemented a digital hologram system based on a spatial light modulator, showing great agreement with our theoretical prediction.”
    • Also stated in: § 1 Introduction · boosted
      “Importantly, we experimentally generate the tunable optical skyrmions with all the topological types in structured vector beams controlled by a digital hologram system, showing great agreement with our theoretical prediction.”
    • Also stated in: § 4 Discussion · boosted
      “We experimentally generated such tunable optical skyrmions in Stokes vector fields of customized vector beams from a well-designed digital hologram system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § 2.2 Tunable optical skyrmions

    The contribution of the outside rings far from the skyrmion center is almost negligible.

    “Importantly, the contribution of the outside rings, far away the skyrmion center, is almost negligible, which means, we can replace the zero-and first-order Bessel modes by the fundamental Gaussian and first-order Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 5
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 5
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data
    § 4 Discussion

    This work is the first experimental generation of topology-tunable optical skyrmions in free space and the first realization of optical anti-skyrmions.

    “This is the first-know experimental generation of topology-tunable optical skyrmions in free space, also the first realization of optical anti-skyrmions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: No optical anti-skyrmion had been proposed before this work.
    • Rests on an assumption: No experimental results for free-space skyrmions had been reported before this work.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingown data
    § 3 Experiment

    Experimental Stokes parameters for the specific case φ1 = φ2 = 0 were measured.

    “Figure 6(a) show an example of the experimental Stokes parameters along with the intensity profile overlapped with its corresponding polarization distribution, Fig. 6(a), for the specific case 𝜑 1 = 𝜑 2 = 0.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Abstract

    The Skyrme-Poincaré sphere provides a Poincaré-like geometric representation to visualize the topological evolution of tunable skyrmions.

    “In addition, Poincaré-like geometric representation is proposed to visualize the topological evolution of tunable skyrmions, which we termed Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, akin to the spin-orbit representation of complex vector modes.”
    • Also stated in: § 1 Introduction · plain
      “Moreover, a novel geometrical model, Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, is proposed to universally map the topological transformation of tunable optical skyrmions, akin to the prior modal Poincaré sphere representing spin-orbital conversation.”
    • Also stated in: § 2.3 Skyrme-Poincaré sphere · plain
      “In this section we present a graphical model, which we termed Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, to depict the general topological transformation of tunable skyrmion onto a Poincaré-like sphere.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductcitation
    § 3 Experiment

    The implemented optical setup is highly stable and capable of generating arbitrary optical beams with almost any state of polarisation and spatial profile.

    “In order to realize experimentally the tunable optical skyrmions, we implemented a highly stable optical setup capable to generate arbitrary optical beams with almost any state of polarisation and spatial profile [27]”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] source

      Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2.3 Skyrme-Poincaré sphere

    In the Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, the equatorial transformation is skyrmion-number-conserved (for p = 1, s = 1 between Néel and Bloch), while the area from equator to poles reveals transformation to anti-skyrmion (s = -1) with fractional skyrmion-number evolution.

    “Similarly in Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, the equatorial transformation is skyrmion-numberconserved, e.g., for the normal polarity 𝑝 = 1, the skyrmion number is always 𝑠 = 1 for the tunable skyrmion between Néel and Bloch.While, the area from equator to the poles reveals the transformation to anti-skyrmion (𝑠 = -1) introducing a fractional skyrmion-number evolution, akin to the fractional OAM evolution”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 4 Discussion

    The methods provide a new platform for optical information storage, communication, and cryptography using skyrmionic topological states of light.

    “Our methods provide a new platform for optical information storage, communication, and cryptography using skyrmionic topological states of light.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2.3 Skyrme-Poincaré sphere

    On the Skyrme-Poincaré sphere, for Θ = 0, the skyrmion transforms between Néel (Φ = 0, π) and Bloch (Φ = ±π/2) on the equator; anti-skyrmions are located at the poles (Θ = ±π/2) independent of Φ.

    “For Θ = 0, the skyrmion transforms between Néel (Φ = 0, 𝜋) and Bloch (Φ = ±𝜋/2), which are represented on the equator.The anti-skyrmions are located at the poles, for Θ = 0 and Θ = ±𝜋/2, which are independent of Φ.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 2.1 Topologies of skyrmions

    The skyrmion number can be separated into two integers, polarity p and vorticity m, such that s = p·m.

    “Also, the skyrmion number can be separated into two integers:”
    • Also stated in: § 2.1 Topologies of skyrmions · plain
      “𝑠 = 1 4𝜋 𝑟𝜎 ∫︁ 0 d𝑟 2𝜋 ∫︁ 0 d𝜃 d𝛽(𝑟) d𝑟 d𝛼(𝜃) d𝜃 sin 𝛽(𝑟) = 1 4𝜋 [cos 𝛽(𝑟)] 𝑟=𝑟𝜎 𝑟=0 [𝛼(𝜃)] 𝜃=2𝜋 𝜃=0 = 𝑝 • 𝑚”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 4 Discussion

    The new concept of tunable skyrmion has a universal mathematical parametrization for generalized topology, so the vector can refer to other kinds of optical field of structured light.

    “Because the new concept of tunable skyrmion has a universal mathematical parametrization for generalized topology, the vector can refer to other kinds of optical field of structured light for the further exploration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
9 of 9

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A stable SPP field requires more rigorous conditions than a free-space light field.

    “as a stable SPP field requires rigorous conditions than a free-space light field.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No optical anti-skyrmion had been proposed before this work.

    “Finally, the optical anti-skyrmion also has never been proposed yet.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No experimental results for free-space skyrmions had been reported before this work.

    “however, no experimental results have been reported for free-space skyrmions.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Bloch-type spin-skyrmions were theoretically proposed in a designer multilayer chiral liquid crystal structure, in which chirality-dependent twisted features occur in the spin vector field.

    “Bloch-type spin-skyrmions were theoretically proposed in a designer multilayer chiral liquid crystal structure [56], in which chirality-dependent twisted features occur in the spin vector field.”

    From Optical skyrmions and other topological quasiparticles of light (2024) · cites this paper as [56]

    The Introduction reports Bloch-type optical skyrmions in optical chiral multilayers, so it supports that part of the claim. It does not describe a designer multilayer chiral liquid-crystal structure or chirality-dependent twisting of a spin vector field; its mention of spin-field skyrmions concerns a separate, tightly focused vortex beam. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Polarizer settings do not match the named components

    Minor

    The settings are assigned respectively to horizontal, vertical, and diagonal intensities, yet the text identifies diagonal with 45° while assigning that setting to vertical; it assigns 95° to diagonal instead.

  • Figure 3 caption labels both spatial modes as ψ1

    Minor

    The main text says Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show ψ1 and ψ2, respectively, whereas the caption labels both panels ψ1.

  • Figure 2 caption repeats panel b for three different textures

    Minor

    The body identifies the anti-skyrmion and intermediate state as panels 2(c) and 2(d), but the caption labels both as panel b, which it also assigns to the Bloch-type result.

  • Intensity panel in Figure 6 is cited as (a) instead of (b)

    Minor

    The text cites Figure 6(a) for the intensity profile as well as the Stokes parameters, while the caption assigns the intensity distribution to Figure 6(b).

  • The equator is also identified as an anti-skyrmion pole

    Minor

    The text places the Néel-to-Bloch transformation on the equator at Θ = 0, but then includes Θ = 0 among the values locating anti-skyrmions at the poles.

5 of 5

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Metadata

Authors
Shen, Y., Martínez, E. C., & Rosales-Guzmán, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Southampton (GB)
  • National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (MX)
  • Optoelectronics Research Centre and Centre for Photonic Metamaterials, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
Corresponding author
Shen, Yijie
ORCID
Shen, Yijie
Venue
ACS Photonics
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Published
2022-01-04
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
296-303
ISSN
2330-4022 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1021/acsphotonics.1c01703
OpenAlex
W4214759217
Semantic Scholar
7a147ddbcbcf58a1bdceb5781beb612fed910ec2
Cited by
278
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 91 · 2025: 85 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 12
FWCI
18.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • ACS Photonics (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, public-domain)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (11934013, 61975047)
  • High-Level Talents Project of Heilongjiang Province (2020GSP12)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Orbital Angular Momentum in Optics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Nonlinear Photonic Systems
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Condensed Matter Physics › Topological Materials and Phenomena
Keywords
optical skyrmions, topological textures, Néel skyrmions, Bloch skyrmions, antiskyrmions, parameter tuning, digital holography, spatial light modulator, vectorial light

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