Abstract
Dielectric metasurfaces have been widely developed as ultra-compact photonic elements based on which prominent miniaturized devices of general interest, such as spectrometers, achromatic lens, and polarization cameras, have been implemented. With metasurface applications taking off, realizing versatile manipulation of light waves is becoming crucial. Here, by detailedly analyzing the light wave modulation principles raising from an individual meta-atom, we discuss the minimalist design strategy of dielectric metasurfaces for multi-dimensionally manipulating light waves, including parameter and spatial dimensions. As proof-of-concepts, those on-demand manipulations in different dimensions and their application potentials are exemplified by metasurfaces composed of polycrystalline silicon rectangle nanopillars. This framework provides basic guidelines for the flexible design of functionalized metasurfaces and the expansion of their applications as well as implementation approaches of more abundant light wave manipulations and applications using hybrid structures.
Highlights
The available functionalities of optical elements come from the effective manipulation of the light wave’s fundamental parameters, e.g., amplitude, phase, and polarization
While for the case of LP basis, as Eq (3) shows, one can obtain φ1 = φo and φ3 = φe when the meta-atoms are arranged without rotation (θ = 0), that is, two independent phase patterns can be implemented on two orthogonal linear polarization states
Phase-only computergenerated holograms (CGHs) are generated by use of the typical Gerchberg–Saxton (GS) algorithm
Summary
The available functionalities of optical elements come from the effective manipulation of the light wave’s fundamental parameters, e.g., amplitude, phase, and polarization. Recent progress has made some achievements, for instance, the introduction of unique structures (few-layer, diatomic, and folding45) and compositional materials (liquid crystal, phase change material, and two-dimensional material48) provides additional degree of freedoms (DoFs) for manipulating light waves with metasurfaces in both parameter and space dimensions. Some relevant studies have been reported, the characteristics of multi-dimensional light wave control that can be realized by a minimalist structure have not been systematically analyzed, and the relationship between the manipulation of parameter dimension with spatial DoFs has not been well discussed. According to diverse control principles, we design metasurfaces composed of polycrystalline silicon rectangle nanopillars and demonstrate multifunctional applications of such minimalist metasurfaces, including phase-only holography, complex-amplitude holography, 3D holographic scene, axial modulation of light field, and polarization-encrypted holography. The applicable principles of manipulating light waves in broadband and 3D space are analyzed
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