Skyrmion particle is modeled in light. The University of Birmingham has a credit.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have created an experimental model of a fundamental particle called a skyrmion in a beam of light.
Professor Tony Skyrme proposed a system to demonstrate the behavior of skyrmions 60 years ago.
Skyrme's idea used the structure of spheres in 4-dimensional space to guarantee the indivisible nature of a skyrmion particle. 3D particle-like skyrmions can be used to tell us about the early origins of the Universe or the physics of exotic materials. Despite being investigated for over 50 years, 3D skyrmions have been very rare in experiments. 2D analogs show promise for new technologies and are the most current research into skyrmions.
The international collaboration between researchers at the University of Lancaster, Mnster, Germany and RIKEN has demonstrated for the first time how skyrmions can be measured in three dimensions.
Professor Mark Dennis said that skyrmions have challenged physicists for many decades. We live in a 3D world and we're making good progress investigating skyrmions. A system that can model a skyrmion in all its possible states is needed. We realized that a beam of light could be used to model our skyrmions because we are able to control its properties. We can start to understand these objects with this approach.
The University's School of Physics and Astronomy cast the standard description of light, the polarization, and the phase in terms to create their model. The Skyrmion field was designed and engineered into a beam of laser light in an experiment led by Professor Denz. The skyrmion was determined by using cutting-edge measurements.
"These objects are quite intricate, from a geometric point of view," said Dr. Sugic. They are similar to a system of interlocking rings with the whole forming a particle-like structure. The skyrmion's properties can be stretched or distorted, but they will not fall apart. Scientists are interested in exploiting this robustness.
Nature Communications has more information about particle-like topologies in light. There is a DOI of 10.1038/s41467-021-26171-5.
Nature Communications is a journal.
Skyrmions: Fundamental particles modeled in beam of light was retrieved fromphys.org on November 22, 2021.
The document is copyrighted. Any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research cannot be reproduced without written permission. The content is not intended to be used for anything other than information purposes.
