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Highly Efficient, Tunable, Electro-Optic, Reflective Metasurfaces Based on Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum.
Christopher Damgaard-Carstensen1, Torgom Yezekyan2, Mark L Brongersma3
1Centre for Nano Optics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
ACS Nano
|March 20, 2025
Summary
We developed efficient electro-optic metasurfaces using quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) for spatiotemporal control of light. These dynamic optical metasurfaces achieve high modulation depth and enable tunable phase-contrast imaging.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Dynamic optical metasurfaces offer advanced control over light but face practical realization challenges.
- Quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) provide a pathway for enhancing metasurface performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate highly efficient electro-optic metasurfaces for ultrafast spatiotemporal control of optical fields.
- To utilize the electro-optic Pockels effect and qBIC resonance for optical free-space intensity modulation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of lithium niobate-based metasurfaces with gold nanoridges operating in reflection.
- Design leveraging ultranarrow qBIC resonance, tunable by incidence angle, and the electro-optic Pockels effect.
- Characterization of modulation depth, electrical bandwidth, and demonstration of tunable phase-contrast imaging.
Main Results:
- Achieved 95% modulation depth, controlling 35% of incident power at telecom wavelengths with ±30 V bias.
- Demonstrated electrically tunable phase-contrast imaging utilizing angle-dependent qBIC resonance.
- Estimated potential bandwidth of 39 GHz for a 22 μm pixel size.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated electro-optic metasurfaces enable efficient spatiotemporal control of light.
- These metasurfaces hold promise for advanced optical functions like beam steering and nonreciprocal operation.
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