Vortex rings, a mysterious and fascinating natural phenomenon, exhibit breathtaking structures and behaviors in both air and electromagnetic waves. Imagine an air ball that can throw vortex rings, creating a perfect vortex of air that spreads gracefully through the air as if an invisible hand were drawing a graceful arc in the sky. This vortex phenomenon is not just a demonstration of physics, it is also a masterpiece of nature.

Creating air vortices is a fascinating combination of science and aesthetics. When an air gun is fired, the momentary pressure difference causes the air to form a rotating ring structure that continuously spreads through the air, exhibiting a unique vortex shape and dynamics. Applying the same principle to electromagnetic waves, we can imagine an “electromagnetic vortex cannon” that directly emits electromagnetic vortex rings. Thanks to the intense efforts of researchers, this concept is gradually becoming a reality.

Recently, Associate Professor Ren Wang from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Associate Professor Yijie Shen from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and collaborators from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom proposed a method of using coaxial horn antennas to directly radiate electromagnetic radiation. They observed the elastic propagation properties and topological structures of skyrmions of these vortices.

Their paper, “Observation of elastic propagation and free space skyrmions in toroidal electromagnetic pulses”, was published as a selected article. Applied Physics Reviews.

These scientists summarize the working principle of their electromagnetic cannon as follows: “The principle involves the use of ultra-wide-band radially polarized conical coaxial horn antennas to generate a rotating structure of electromagnetic waves. When the antenna propagates, it creates an instantaneous pressure difference that creates these vortex rings that maintain their shape and energy over long distances; this lies in the ability to generate electromagnetic pulses with complex topological properties that exhibit excellent stability and self-healing properties during propagation.

“The potential applications of this technology are large and exciting. In high-bandwidth communication systems, these vortex pulses could revolutionize the way information is transmitted by providing efficient and reliable methods of encoding data. The unique spectral and polarization properties of vortex rings allow them to transmit more information than traditional waves, making them ideal candidates for next-generation communication networks.

“Furthermore, their ability to maintain structural integrity even in the presence of environmental disturbances makes them valuable tools for remote sensing and target acquisition. By analyzing the unique patterns of these vortex pulses, scientists can develop more accurate and reliable methods for detecting and locating objects, whether in defense systems or space exploration,” he said.

“When we consider the implications of our findings, [ми] We are particularly excited about how this research could lead to groundbreaking advances in metrology and information processing. The spatiotemporal nonseparability of vortex pulses provides a foundation for the development of new methods for processing complex data. Additionally, skyrmion textures embedded in vortex rings offer intriguing possibilities for topological data storage and processing, potentially leading to more efficient ways to manage and analyze large datasets.

“This work not only demonstrates the incredible versatility of electromagnetic vortex rings, it also creates opportunities to revise our understanding of electromagnetic phenomena, laying the foundation for future innovations in wireless technology,” the scientists add.