Beam switching and bifocal zoom lensing using active plasmonic metasurfaces

Compact nanophotonic elements exhibiting adaptable properties are essential components for the miniaturization of powerful optical technologies such as adaptive optics and spatial light modulators. While the larger counterparts typically rely on mechanical actuation, this can be undesirable in some cases on a microscopic scale due to inherent space restrictions. Here, we present a novel design concept for highly integrated active optical components that employs a combination of resonant plasmonic metasurfaces and the phase-change material Ge₃Sb₂Te₆. In particular, we demonstrate beam switching and bifocal lensing, thus, paving the way for a plethora of active optical elements employing plasmonic metasurfaces, which follow the same design principles.