Storage and retrieval of optical skyrmions with topological characteristics
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Optical skyrmions are topological structures of light whose defining property, the skyrmion number, is robust against perturbations. This makes them attractive for applications in quantum information storage, where resilience to decoherence is paramount. However, their preservation during coherent storage remains unexplored. We report the first experimental demonstration of storing and retrieving optical skyrmions in a cold Rb 87 vapor using a dual-path electromagnetically induced transparency memory. Crucially, we show that the skyrmion number remains invariant for storage times up to several microseconds, even when subjected to imbalanced loss between the two paths and substantial perturbations in control beam power. Our work demonstrates the survival of a nontrivial topological invariant in a quantum memory, marking a significant step towards topologically protected photonic technologies.
Source: Physical Review A
DOI: 10.1103/44mz-k83h
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,675
Funders: European Commission, European Cooperation in Science and Technology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Ministry of Education - Singapore, National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Shaanxi Province Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
OpenAlex ID: W7148660627