Full-space-manipulated multifunctional coding metasurface based on "Fabry-Pérot-like" cavity

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metamaterials
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Multifunctional coding metasurfaces (CMs) are crucial for integrating multiple optical functions into single devices.
• Existing research primarily focuses on dual functionalities within either reflected or transmitted light.
• A need exists for metasurfaces offering simultaneous control over diverse light properties across the full optical space.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and design a novel multifunctional CM.
• To achieve simultaneous control of different polarized light in full-space using a single metasurface.
• To demonstrate multiple, distinct optical functionalities from a single CM design.

Main Methods:

• Design of a multifunctional CM based on a "Fabry-Pérot-like" cavity.
• Utilizing asymmetric transmission characteristics for distinct optical control.
• Employing polarization state and propagation direction of incident light to switch functionalities.
• Simulations and experimental validation of the designed CM.

Main Results:

• The designed CM exhibits asymmetric transmission, enabling distinct functionalities.
• Simultaneously achieved functionalities include beam splitting, co-polarized reflection (diffusion scattering), and cross-polarized transmission (beam focusing).
• Simulated results were validated by experimental findings, confirming the design's feasibility.

Conclusions:

• The developed CM offers a viable approach for multifunctional optical devices.
• This design enables miniaturization and high integration of optical components.
• The proposed method can be extended to achieve desired functionalities in other frequency domains.