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Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have made significant strides in the manipulation of light by leveraging its interaction with metallic surfaces, leading to the discovery of novel optical properties. Their findings are detailed in a recent publication in Nature Physics.
Prof. Harald Giessen, who leads the Fourth Physics Institute at the University, expressed excitement about the advancement, stating, “Our results add another chapter to the emerging field of skyrmion research.” His team has successfully demonstrated the formation of “skyrmion bags” of light on metal surfaces, expanding the horizons of current optical technologies.
A deeper insight into physical phenomena
Skyrmions are mathematical models that describe vortex-like formations, which assist scientists in grasping essential physical principles. Over the past few years, this theoretical framework has gained experimental validation across various domains, including magnetic materials and structured surfaces. Giessen’s group focused on whether light incident on a meticulously structured thin gold layer could emulate skyrmion bags characterized by unique symmetries. These bags consist of skyrmions encased within a larger skyrmion structure. To facilitate their experiments, the researchers engraved fine, twisted hexagonal grooves into the gold surface, with each hexagon generating a distinct skyrmion light field.
Precision control of light fields
Julian Schwab, the lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate in Giessen’s team, noted, “We then observed a superposition of two skyrmion light fields, which led to the formation of the skyrmion bags.” Remarkably, the researchers discovered they could adjust the number of skyrmions within these bags by controlling the twist of the light fields in relation to each other. This capability allows for the deliberate shaping of light fields into configurations that do not typically occur naturally. For the experimental validation, the team collaborated with researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen, as well as with theorists from the Technion in Haifa to develop a comprehensive understanding of their observations.
Advancing fundamental research with practical possibilities
While this research remains rooted in fundamental physics, the properties of these light-field skyrmions have piqued the interest of scientists exploring their potential technological applications. The suitability of the gold surface utilized in the experiment for practical application is still to be determined. Giessen remarked, “If an appropriate material is discovered, our findings could have implications for microscopy,” suggesting that such advancements could lead to unmatched resolution capabilities in specialized microscopy techniques that would otherwise be limited by the wavelengths of light.
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