On-chip optical skyrmionic beam generators

Optical skyrmion beams, which encompass a two-dimensional topology in their spatial structures, are promising candidates for ultra-dense optical communications and advanced matter manipulation. Generating such light beams using a chip-based approach will broaden their applications and promote the advancement of untapped fundamental science. Herein, we present a breakthrough in chip-based technology by experimentally demonstrating on-chip devices capable of generating optical skyrmions with tailored topological invariants. These devices, fabricated with high precision, exhibit behaviors that closely align with theoretical predictions and numerical simulations. The realization of on-chip optical skyrmion beam generators ushers a new dawn in optical and material sciences. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement