Paraxial skyrmionic beams

Gao, S., Speirits, F. C. , Castellucci, F., Franke-Arnold, S. , Barnett, S. M. and Götte, J. B. (2020) Paraxial skyrmionic beams. Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 102, 053513. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.102.053513)

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Abstract

We show that a class of vector vortex beams possesses a topological property that derives both from the spatially varying amplitude of the field and also from its varying polarization. This property arises as a consequence of the inherent Skyrmionic nature of such beams and is quantified by the associated Skyrmion number, which embodies a topological property of the beam. We illustrate this idea for some of the simplest vector beams and discuss the physical significance of the Skyrmion number in this context.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Royal Society (RP150122 and RPEA180010), and by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R008264/1) and by the European Training Network ColOpt, funded by the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action, Grant Agreement No. 721465.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Barnett, Professor Stephen and Franke-Arnold, Professor Sonja and Castellucci, Dr Francesco and Speirits, Dr Fiona and Goette, Dr Joerg and Gao, Miss Sijia
Authors: Gao, S., Speirits, F. C., Castellucci, F., Franke-Arnold, S., Barnett, S. M., and Götte, J. B.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:2469-9926
ISSN (Online):2469-9934
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics 102:053513
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
173378Astronomy and physics, theoretical physics and application physics / Quantum Theory. Royal Society Research Professorship.Stephen BarnettThe Royal Society (ROYSOC)RP150122P&S - Physics & Astronomy
300116Relativistic Electron VorticesStephen BarnettEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/R008264/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy
300412Collective effects and optomechanics in ultra-cold matterSonja Franke-ArnoldEuropean Commission (EC)721465P&S - Physics & Astronomy