ScienceJuly 13, 2026
skyrmion
/ˈskɜːrmiɒn/
Definition
A stable, swirling, particle-like topological structure formed within the properties of light, such as its polarization or field vectors.
Etymology
The term is named after the British particle physicist Tony Skyrme, who originally proposed the concept in the 1960s to describe field configurations in nuclear physics. It was later adapted to describe similar phenomena in magnetism and optics.
In the news
The article describes how researchers used a classic optical experiment to generate these swirling light patterns. These structures are significant because their stability could make them effective building blocks for future data storage and computing technologies.
A 200-year-old physics experiment could help build future computers
Read the full article ↗ScienceDaily