Observation of resilient propagation and free-space skyrmions in toroidal electromagnetic pulses

Toroidal electromagnetic pulses have been recently reported as nontransverse, space-time nonseparable topological excitations of free space. However, their propagation dynamics and topological configurations have not been comprehensively experimentally characterized. In addition, the existing generators were limited in optical and terahertz domains; however, the feasibility and significance of generating such pulses at microwave frequencies have been overlooked. Here, we report that microwave toroidal pulses can be launched by a transient finite-aperture broadband horn antenna emitter, as an electromagnetic counterpart of “air vortex cannon.” Applying this effective generator, we experimentally map the toroidal pulses' topological skyrmionic textures in free space and demonstrate their resilient propagation dynamics, i.e., how that, during propagation, the pulses evolve toward stronger space-time nonseparability and closer proximity to the canonical Hellwarth–Nouchi toroidal pulses. Our work offers a practical opportunity for using topologically robust toroidal pulses as information carriers in high-capacity telecom, cell phone technology, remote sensing, and global positioning, especially where microwave frequencies are predominant.