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Dielectric Metalens Array for Simultaneous Polarization and Wavefront Mapping in the Visible Spectrum
Ling Li1, Meiyan Pan2, Jian Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China.
Nano Letters
|June 25, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a compact TiO2 metalens array for advanced polarization analysis. The shared-aperture design simultaneously focuses multiple polarization states, enabling efficient Stokes parameter reconstruction and vector beam characterization.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Metamaterials
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Traditional polarimetry systems are bulky, limiting applications.
- Metalens arrays offer compact alternatives for polarization analysis.
- Enhancing efficiency and resolution in submetalens architectures is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a shared-aperture metalens array for simultaneous multi-polarization focusing.
- To enable comprehensive Stokes parameter reconstruction and phase gradient quantification.
- To demonstrate accurate characterization of complex vector beams in a compact system.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a shared-aperture titanium dioxide (TiO2) metalens array.
- Single-frame focal field analysis for polarization state determination.
- Characterization of vector beams, including polarized vortices and diverging wavefronts.
Main Results:
- Concurrent focusing of six polarization components into a hexagonal lattice.
- High accuracy in Stokes parameter reconstruction (4.64% deviation).
- Accurate phase gradient quantification (up to 1.75 rad/μm) with minimized cross-talk.
Conclusions:
- The developed metalens array provides a compact and efficient platform for polarization analysis.
- The integrated system enables simultaneous polarization-state analysis and adaptive wavefront control.
- This technology is promising for quantum optics and space-constrained applications.
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