Topological light field: from singular to skyrmionic optics and beyond

Abstract Topological light fields represent a cutting-edge frontier at the intersection of modern optics and condensed matter physics, offering new dimensions for light field control and functional expansion through their distinctive topological structures. This review traces the progression from singular optics to optical skyrmions, providing an overview of representative real-space topological features, including phase singularities, polarization singularities, optical knots, and Möbius strips. It focuses on the generation mechanisms and characterization techniques of various types of optical skyrmions in parameter space, and reviews key studies that have shaped the development of the field. With ongoing advances in nano-optics and light-field manipulation, topological light fields exhibit strong potential in high-dimensional optical communication, massive data storage, all-optical computing, and precision metrology. This review aims to offer a coherent framework for researchers in topological optics and to support the further exploration of topological structures in optical devices and photonic information technologies.