Observation of a\nPlasmonic Vortex Lattice Crystallization

The concept of the crystallization of a plasmonic vortex\nlattice\n(PVL), which is achieved through multiple beam interferences, has\nbeen experimentally demonstrated and theoretically investigated. The\ngeneration of these ordered sets involves the interference of six\nplasmonic sources with spin-dependent spiral phases that arise from\nthe interaction between circularly polarized electromagnetic waves\nand chiral metallic structures. The described components are instrumental\nin vortex generation and lattice formation. We observed a gradual\ncrystallization of PVL through a quantized process influenced by the\narray size and its topological properties. It is characterized by\nthe order parameter that was defined in analogy to nematic crystals.\nWe demonstrate the remarkable topological adaptability of the PVL\nlattices, along with their resilience to perturbations. This underscores\ntheir potential for diverse applications in optical communication\nand data storage.