Gibbs-Wulff optical vortex array

Optical vortex array (OVA) containing multiple optical vortices is an optimal candidate for applications of optical communications, complex manipulation of multi-particle systems, and mass-synchronous fabrication. However, the existing OVAs have not been constructed to respond to the application requirements, particularly for micro-/nanomaterial fabrication where the boundary, size, and stability need to be carefully considered. To address this issue, we propose a Gibbs-Wulff OVA (GWOVA) by analogizing the Gibbs-Wulff theorem in solid-state physics. Herein, the Gibbs-Wulff theorem is first generalized to OVA's generation as the condition to confine its growth boundary. The GWOVA, which possesses versatile structures and arrangement modes (simple- and close-packed modes), is successfully generated and grown. It exhibits high stability and perfect symmetry during growth and rotation, which satisfies the symmetric group of D-2s. Owing to its stable structure and growth boundary conditions, the GWOVA has great potential for a wide range of applications, particularly in micro-/nanomaterial fabrication.