Wen-Jin Zhang, Ze-Peng Zhuang, Xiao-Dong Chen, Jian-Wen Dong
Bound states in the continuum (BICs) have long been recognized as topological singularities of light, yet their descriptions have relied solely on scalar topological charges that trace a polarization angle rotation, leaving their true vectorial topology unexplored. Here, we apply the concept of a vectorial topological charge (VTC) to BICs, resolving this fundamental limitation by capturing the full set of winding numbers of (S_{1}, S_{2}, S_{3}) axes on the Poincaré sphere. Using bilayer photonic crystal slabs as a model system, we reveal that nontrivial VTCs can be manifested through pseudopolarization singularity generated by BICs within the perturbation parameter space. Intriguingly, such a VTC further links BICs to counterrotating phase singularities in the upward and downward radiation channels-an effect invisible in scalar frameworks. Moreover, the multicomponent nature of VTCs drives a BIC to split into multiple pairs of half-integer pseudopolarization singularities under symmetry breaking, rather than merely forming a pair of circular pseudopolarization states, thereby defying the conventional rules of topological charge evolution. Our findings reveal a richer vectorial topology that enables control of BICs beyond scalar descriptions.