Topological complex electromagnetic waves give access to nontrivial light-matter interactions and provide additional degrees of freedom for information transfer. For instance, topologically stable quasiparticles or skyrmions have been demonstrated in quantum fields, solid-state physics, and magnetic materials, but only recently observed in photonic fields, triggering fast expanding research across different spectral ranges and applications. Here I introduce an extended family of photonic skyrmions within a unified framework, starting from fundamental theories to experimental generation and topological control in spatiotemporally structured light. I will further highlight generalized classes of structured wave topological quasiparticles beyond optical skyrmions and outline their exotic topological robust properties, emerging applications, future trends, and open challenges.

Refs: Nat. Photonics 18, 15-25 (2024); Nature 638, 394-400 (2025); Adv. Opt. Photonics 17(2) 295-374 (2025); Optics & Photonics News 36, 26-33 (2025); Nat. Electron. 9, 479–488 (2026)