Nearly perfect polarization rotation in optical range based on all-dielectric metamaterials

Abstract

Although using metamaterials in the microwave and terahertz regions has been extensively investigated, the polarization rotation in the optical spectrum with extremely high efficiency and linear tunability for the angle of rotation is still challenging. Here, we report a polarization rotator in the near infrared spectrum using all-dielectric metamaterials with nearly perfect performance. For linear polarization incidences with arbitrary polarization angles, the transmittances are larger than 0.98 and the linear polarizations are still maintained except for a uniform angle of rotation 82°. Thus, with the assistance of a half wave plate, the output polarization angle can be linearly tuned from 0 to 2π. The physical origins are analyzed systematically using a numerical simulation method and Jones calculus. These excellent features give our scheme the potential for all-dielectric integrated polarization rotator related applications at optical range.