1. Exploiting Topological Darkness in Photonic Crystal Slabs for Spatiotemporal Vortex Generation
- Author
-
Liu, Wenzhe, Wang, Jiajun, Tang, Yang, Wang, Xinhao, Zhao, Xingqi, Shi, Lei, Zi, Jian, Chan, Che Ting, Liu, Wenzhe, Wang, Jiajun, Tang, Yang, Wang, Xinhao, Zhao, Xingqi, Shi, Lei, Zi, Jian, and Chan, Che Ting
- Abstract
Spatiotemporal optical vortices (STOVs) with swirling phase singularities in space and time hold great promise for a wide range of applications across diverse fields. However, current approaches to generate STOVs lack integrability and rely on bulky free-space optical components. Here, we demonstrate routine STOV generation by harnessing the topological darkness phenomenon of a photonic crystal slab. Complete polarization conversion enforced by symmetry enables topological darkness to arise from photonic bands of guided resonances, imprinting vortex singularities onto an ultrashort reflected pulse. Utilizing time-resolved spatial mapping, we provide the first observation of STOV generation using a photonic crystal slab, revealing the imprinted STOV structure manifested as a curved vortex line in the pulse profile in space and time. Our work establishes photonic crystal slabs as a versatile and accessible platform for engineering STOVs and harnessing the topological darkness in nanophotonics. © 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
- Published
- 2024