Metasurface-enabled polarization-independent LCoS spatial light modulator for 4K resolution and beyond

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) devices offer high-resolution spatial light modulation.
• Traditional LCoS devices exhibit polarization-dependent responses, necessitating complex optics for polarization-independent applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and demonstrate a novel LCoS device achieving direct polarization-independent phase modulation.
• To overcome the limitations of polarization-dependent responses in LCoS technology.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a polarization-rotating metasurface within the LCoS device structure.
• Fabrication of a 4K resolution LCoS device with embedded metasurface for telecommunication wavelengths.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-performance polarization-independent phase modulation.
• Demonstrated successful operation in beam steering, holographic display, and wavelength selective switch (WSS) applications.
• Verified significant simplification in system configuration and performance enhancement.

Conclusions:

• The novel LCoS device with an embedded metasurface effectively enables polarization-independent operation.
• This technology offers substantial advantages for various optical applications, including simplified optical switching.