Generation of Optical Quasiparticles with Spin–Orbit Conversion in a Single <i>Q</i> ‐Plate

ABSTRACT In this work, we detail a novel approach which can be used for the generation of optical quasiparticles. This process leverages both spin‐orbit conversion control with wavelength de‐tuning in a commercially available q ‐plate. We demonstrate the generation of both 1st and 2nd order optical quasiparticles with skyrmion numbers of ∼0.9 and ∼1.9. This approach provides not only a new strategy for the generation of robust optical quasiparticles, but also a new means of utilizing q ‐plates. We anticipate that this approach to generating optical quasiparticles will facilitate rapid advances in topological optics and materials science based on exotic light–matter interactions, quantum and optical communications, high density optical data storage, and nano‐scale polarization imaging.