Optical topological lattices of Bloch-type skyrmion and meron topologies

Optical skyrmions, quasiparticles that are characterized by the topologically nontrivial vectorial textures of optical parameters such as the electromagnetic field, Stokes parameters, and spin angular momentum, have aroused great attention recently. New dimensions for optical information processing, transfer, and storage have become possible, and developing multiple schemes for manipulating the topological states of skyrmions, thus, is urgent. Here we propose an approach toward achieving dynamic modulation of skyrmions via changing the field symmetry and adding chirality. We demonstrate that field symmetry governs the skyrmionic transformation between skyrmions and merons, whereas material chirality modulates the twist degree of fields and spins and takes control of the Neel-type-Bloch-type skyrmionic transition. Remarkably, the enantioselective twist of skyrmions and merons results from the longitudinal spin arising from the chirality-induced splitting of the hyperboloid in the momentum space. Our investigation, therefore, acts to enrich the portfolio of optical quasiparticles. The chiral route to topological state transitions will deepen our understanding of light-matter interaction and pave the way for chiral sensing, optical tweezers, and topological phase transitions in quantum matter. (C) 2022 Chinese Laser Press

Automated summary

This article investigates the dynamic modulation of optical skyrmions by changing the field symmetry and adding chirality. The study reveals that field symmetry controls the transformation between skyrmions and merons, while material chirality regulates the degree of twist in the fields and spins, and governs the skyrmionic transition. The enantioselective twist of skyrmions and merons arises from the chirality-induced splitting of the hyperboloid in momentum space. The research enriches the portfolio of optical quasiparticles and deepens our understanding of light-matter interaction, paving the way for applications such as chiral sensing, optical tweezing, and topological phase transitions in quantum matter.