Multidimensional manipulation and encoding of versatile vector vortex beams empowered by phase-change metasurfaces.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metamaterials
• Quantum Information

Background:

• Vector vortex beams, combining orbital angular momentum (OAM) and polarization, offer diverse applications.
• Current 3D optical devices struggle with simultaneous OAM and polarization control in focused vector beams.
• Metasurfaces offer compact, integrated solutions for multidimensional vector manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a versatile all-dielectric metasurface platform for generating vector vortex beams with customized OAM and polarization states.
• To overcome the limitation of single-function manipulation in existing optical devices.
• To demonstrate simultaneous control over OAM and polarization states using a single metasurface.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a hybrid-phase modulation approach with three spin-multiplexed metasurface platforms.
• Engineered metasurfaces to generate vector vortex beams with independent polarization states and distinct topological charges.
• Leveraged coherent superposition of orthogonal circularly polarized components with controlled axial phase differences.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated versatile vector vortex beams with customized, independent polarization states along the propagation path.
• Demonstrated vector vortex beam arrays with customized OAM and longitudinal varying polarization states.
• Implemented a metasurface for optical information encryption by encoding customized OAM and polarization states.

Conclusions:

• The developed metasurface platform enables precise, simultaneous control over OAM and polarization states in vector vortex beams.
• This work facilitates advanced beam shaping, polarization switchable devices, and optical information encryption.
• The findings open new avenues for versatile light-matter interactions and integrated photonic devices.