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Characterization of Anisotropic Leaky Mode Modulators for Holovideo
Published on: March 19, 2016
Meta-optics redefines microdisplay: monolithic color LCoS without polarization dependency
Xiangnian Ou1, Yueqiang Hu2,3,4, Dian Yu1
1National Research Center for High-Efficiency Grinding, College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) panels are pivotal to high-resolution optical projection and imaging displays, yet their inherent polarization sensitivity and reliance on multi-chip architectures for color reproduction constrain the upper limit of light utilization, increase system complexity and restrict broader applicability. Here, we demonstrate a monolithic color meta-LCoS prototype that integrates dual-layer metasurfaces to achieve polarization-insensitive, full-color amplitude modulation on a single chip. Polarization sensitivity is eliminated via a synergistic design combining metasurface-enabled polarization conversion and voltage-controlled liquid crystal phase modulation, achieving a high-contrast, polarization-insensitive optical switch. By embedding red, green, and blue metasurface subpixels and meticulously designed off-axis angles, enabling direct color synthesis through a unified device. We showcase a 64-pixel monochrome and a 9-pixel color prototype capable of dynamically projecting diverse patterns under unpolarized illumination. Fully compatible with existing LCoS fabrication processes, our device significantly reduces system complexity and cost, offering transformative applications in next-generation projectors and AR/VR displays.

