Circular polarization detection metasurface inspired by the polarized vision of mantis shrimp

Abstract

Mantis shrimps can recognize polarization states that are invisible to human eyes. Inspired by its polarization vision, we propose a simple micro-nano integrated structure including a metasurface array with diamonds overlapped partially, and metal wire grids. Here, because of the asymmetry of the designed nanostructure, the device is sensitive to polarized light. The consistency between the results of FDTD simulations and our theoretical derivation shows that the design can effectively distinguish the rotation of circular polarizations by achieving differential detection of circular polarization states. The design differs from the common single-layer metasurface, achieves higher extinction ratio while maintaining a high transmittance. Especially, the peak of extinction ratios up to 1800 in the 700–1000 nm wavelength range. Therefore, the advantages of the design are enabling applications requiring high resolution and precision such as polarization detection and imaging, biomedical diagnosis, and weak magnetic detection.