Transverse energy flow in an optical Skyrmionic Hopfion

Abstract

The energy flow of light represents a natural way of investigating complex light fields with respect to their applicability. With the generation of a three-dimensional Skyrmionic Hopfion structure in light, which is a topological 3D field configuration with particle-like nature, we paved the way to employ optical, topological constructs. In this work, we present an analysis of the transverse energy flow in the optical Skyrmionic Hopfion, showing the transfer of the topological properties to the mechanical attributes such as the optical angular momentum (OAM). Our findings thus prepare topological structures to be applied in optical traps and data storage or communication.