Creation of multicolored skyrmions as entangled and single photon states

Abstract

Skyrmions are topological optical fields that hold great promise for encoding and manipulating quantum information. Here we report the first realisation of optical skyrmions across two wavelengths, where the skyrmion topology arises as a shared property between dual-wavelength entangled photons or on single photon states at either wavelength. Through a voltage-controlled spin-orbit device, we achieve a topology switching between non-local and local skyrmion topology while preserving the entanglement and topology in both cases. The dual-wavelength configuration allows the creation of skyrmion topology on a visible photon suitable for imaging or switching the local skyrmion topology to a telecom-band photon suitable for fiber communication. This work paves the way for topological quantum state engineering with applications in quantum communication, quantum imaging and heralded single-photon sources.