Simulation Study of Localized, Multi-Directional Continuous Dynamic Tailoring for Optical Skyrmions

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript ID photonics-3012582 corresponds to a study about optical skyrmions. A multi-directional continuous dynamic is numerically analyzed. Please see below some points to the authors:

1. Please comment about the potential influence of polarization in the multi-directional continuous dynamic of optical skyrmions.
2. How is the dependence on irradiance of the main findings related to the dynamics of optical skyrmions?
3. The results presented in figure 6 must be described with better details to see their value.
4. Advantages and disadvantages of the optical skyrmions should be better described.
5. It is not clear how was selected the SiO2 substrate and the thickness for this particular study.
6. The main results should be confronted with updated publications in the topic. You can see for instance: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.106.054435
7. Some perspectives should be added in order that this work can be a base for future research. Alternatives in the use of magnetic fields and topological effects could be considered, the authors are invited to see for instance structuration of light: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2021.107015
8. The description of the color bar in some figures is missing.
9. Please verify that all the parameters in the equations are correctly declared.
10. The importance of each reference selected for the presentation of the topic should be justified and the citations presented in collective form should be split.

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The Authors propose a distributed Gaussian-focused spots array. The results have been achieved by using FDTD-based simulations. The paper is well written and it deserves publication after addressing the following minor comments:

1. Section 2. Please comment on the sentence: "In cases where the loss is small...error range".

2. Pag. 4. To help the reader understand the manuscript, please comment on the sentence: "The optical skyrmions ...integer".

3. The paragraph 3.1 "Simulation set up" should be rewritten by introducing a figure and highlighting the features of the slit, sources, and monitor.

4. It is not clear the main purpose of enhancing the number of channels. The main applications should be reported.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this manuscript, Gao et al. have made a contribution to the field by investigating optical skyrmions, a topic of high interest to those studying topological solitons. Their work, which is somewhat original, has the potential to advance our understanding in this area. I am confident in recommending the publication of this manuscript, provided the following issues are adequately addressed.

 

1. Similar to magnetic skyrmions, the authors present a formula of the topological number for the optical skyrmions (see Eqs. (4) and (5)). I think this topological number can characterize the optical skyrmions, which are not shown in the figures. I hope the authors can calculate it using their simulation results and plot it in the manuscript.

2. The magnetic skyrmions exhibit the so-called skyrmion Hall effect. For example, magnetic Skyrmions have a transverse motion under a spin current's drive. The Skyrmion Hall effect is also significant, and I hope the authors can clarify whether the optical skyrmions have the Skyrmion Hall effect.

3. What is the profile of the optical skyrmions? Could the authors give the polar dependence for a symmetric optical skyrmion? Can the authors comment on the difference in the profiles of magnetic skyrmions and optical skyrmions?

 

After addressing the above comments, the manuscript should be ready to publish.  

Comments on the Quality of English Language

I appreciate the effort the authors have put into the figures and writing. However, I believe there is room for improvement. For instance, the definition of the polar angles in Fig. 1 could be clarified. Additionally, enhancing the writing clarity would make the manuscript more accessible to a wider audience.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have succesfully clarified all the points raised in the review stage. The results are solid in the topic of optical skyrmions. Then, in my opinion, this work can be considered for publication in present form. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

A proofreading is suggested.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have dealt with my comments satisfactorily, and I now recommend the publication.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English has been improved.