Tunable optical skyrmions from liquid crystal droplets

Recent research developments have extended the concept of skyrmions—topologically stable vector textures first introduced in particle physics—to various fields, including electromagnetism. In optics and photonics, skyrmions hold significant potential, driving the development of advanced beam-shaping strategies. In this context, liquid crystal spatial light modulator devices have also emerged as a promising platform for skyrmion generation and manipulation, though being bulky and expensive high-tech instruments. Here, by leveraging the spin-orbit interaction of light and the tunable optical properties of liquid crystals under external fields, we experimentally report on the controlled generation of optical skyrmions from liquid crystal droplets. Our results, which are supported by modelling, unveil polarization-controlled Skyrme numbers as well as wavelength tunable behaviour and the reversible access to high-order skyrmions on-demand.