Mid-infrared biomimetic moth-eye-shaped polarization-maintaining and angle-insensitive metalens.

Abstract

Metalenses can potentially reduce the size and complexity of existing cameras, displays, and other optical devices, owing to their capability of flexible manipulation of the polarization, amplitude, and phase of light. However, metalenses capable of maintaining polarization and broadband wavefront shaping under arbitrarily polarized excitation have not been studied. In this study, we present the first demonstration of a biomimetic moth-eye-shaped metalens for polarization-maintaining, broadband and angle-insensitive focusing under an arbitrarily polarized excitation in the mid-infrared waveband (3.1-8.0 µm). Modulation and focusing efficiencies of 92% and 90%, respectively, were achieved. Moreover, a bifocal moth-eye-shaped metalens operating at normal and oblique incidences was realized. Compared to previously reported metalenses, the one proposed in this study exhibited a better focusing under oblique incidence, ensuring light transmission as effectively as a traditional lens. This study paves the way for the development of polarization-maintaining, broadband, and angle-insensitive microscale optical devices and imaging systems.