Topological states of light and darkness
Abstract
The rapid development of optical technologies, such as optical manipulation and trapping, data processing, optical sensing and metrology, enhanced imaging and microscopy, as well as classical and quantum communications necessitates fundamental studies of the optical new degrees of freedom for sculpting optical beams in space and time beyond conventionally used amplitude, phase, and polarization. Topological particle-like objects in structured optical fields have emerged as one of the most promising candidates for such degrees of freedom. We propose to theoretically and experimentally study Òstructured light and darkness,Ó or 2D and 3D knotted singularities, as well as optical skyrmions. This research will focus on the generation, detection, and linear and nonlinear light-matter interactions of optical links, knots, and skyrmions in complex optical media such as optical metamaterials, metasurfaces, and highly scattering media.Thrust 1 Ð Shaping optical singularities: Research directions: Optical singularities engineering has the potential for discovering new 3D states of light, light shaping in higher-dimensional space, and more controllable degrees of freedom that have not been explored in detail. Optical singularities engineering can be used to design topological light objects of many shapes, beyond simple curved or straight lines, and could be used for a wide range of applications from superresolution imaging to optical manipulation. Thrust 2 Ð Optical links and knotsÑ3D topology of phase and polarization singularities: While the mathematical theory of optical knots and links has been developing over the last two decades, light-matter interactions between optical knots and actual physical media remain unexplored. Exploiting topological properties of optical knots for their robustness in scattering, lossy, nonlinear, and dispersive media, including natural and engineered media, and exploring the possibility of generation broadband and partially coherent knots and their interaction with matter are of interest from a fundamental science viewpoint and may lead to new applications in the areas of imaging, probing, and optical manipulation. Thrust 3 Ð Optical skyrmions: Light-matter interactions leading to optical skyrmions formation and propagation are nearly untouched fields of research. Combining the nonlinear processes with spin-to-orbital coupling in the structured light may lead to new approaches to subwavelength microscopy and skyrmions-based nonlinear frequency conversion regimes. Finally, fundamental studies of the properties of optical skyrmions will likely lead to new skyrmion applications in optical rather than magnetic information processing, transfer, and storage. ÔThe proposed research aims at addressing the objectives of the Army Research Office Modern Optics Program by developing a deeper understanding of the underlying physics of the physical properties of 3D topological structured light and the discovery of new regimes of light-matter interactions that can improve Army capabilities. This research will likely result in novel functionalities enabled by the synergy of the 3D structured light and darkness and the unique properties of optical metamaterials. In particular, we expect to discover new opportunities for topological light/darkness enabled 3D STED microscopy as well as skyrmions-based highresolution imaging, precision metrology, and data storage, where the polarization state, not the intensity, can be used to obtain deep-subwavelength information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310057
Entities
People
- Natalia M. Litchinitser
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Duke University
- United States Army