Researchers Create Device to Switch Terahertz Skyrmion Pulses

New metasurface-based platform can generate and control electric and magnetic vortex-ring-like light patterns for robust information encoding.

Published on Jan. 29, 2026

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Researchers have developed an optical device that can generate and switch between electric and magnetic vortex-ring-like light patterns known as skyrmions in free-space-propagating terahertz pulses. This controllability is essential for practical applications like wireless communications and light-based information processing, where reliable selection and reproduction of desired states are crucial for robust information encoding.

Why it matters

Terahertz waves are a promising technology for next-generation communications and sensing, but most existing devices can only generate one type of toroidal vortex light pattern and lack the ability to switch between different modes. This new metasurface-based platform addresses this limitation, paving the way for more resilient approaches to terahertz wireless communication and light-based information processing.

The details

The device uses a specially designed nonlinear metasurface made from patterned metallic nanostructures. When near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses with different polarization shapes are directed onto the metasurface, it generates different terahertz toroidal light pulses that carry either an electric-mode or a magnetic-mode vortex texture. This allows the researchers to switch between the two skyrmion modes on demand using the same integrated platform.

  • The research was published in the journal Optica on January 30, 2026.

The players

Xueqian Zhang

Corresponding author from Tianjin University.

Yijie Shen

Co-corresponding author from Nanyang Technological University.

Li Niu

First author from Tianjin University, who performed the experiments.

Jiaguang Han

Project leader from Tianjin University.

Optica Publishing Group

The publisher of the journal Optica where the research was published.

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What they’re saying

“Our device not only generates more than one vortex pattern in free-space-propagating terahertz pulses but can also be used to switch, on demand, between two modes using the same integrated platform.”

— Xueqian Zhang, Corresponding author (Optica)

“Our results move the concept of switchable free-space skyrmions toward a controllable tool for robust information encoding. This work could inspire more resilient approaches to terahertz wireless communication and light-based information processing.”

— Yijie Shen, Co-corresponding author (Optica)

“The core innovation lies in the nonlinear metasurface that converts shaped near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses into tailored terahertz toroidal light pulses.”

— Li Niu, First author (Optica)

“By employing simple optical elements such as wave plates and vortex retarders to control the polarization pattern of the input laser, we are able to create a compact device that can actively switch between two distinct topological light states.”

— Jiaguang Han, Project leader (Optica)

What’s next

The researchers aim to advance the concept toward communication-relevant applications, which will entail enhancing long-term stability, repeatability and overall efficiency, while also making the entire system more compact and robust. They also intend to extend the system beyond two states by incorporating additional controllable modes, thereby enabling richer encoding schemes.

The takeaway

This new metasurface-based device that can generate and switch between electric and magnetic skyrmion modes in terahertz pulses represents a significant step forward in developing robust and controllable light-based information processing and communication technologies.