Generation of Independently Tailored Vector Vortex Beams Array via a Silicon Carbide Metasurface.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Metasurface Technology
• Structured Light Generation

Background:

• Vector vortex beams (VVBs) exhibit spin-orbit angular momentum coupling, crucial for advanced photonic applications.
• Generating independently addressable VVB arrays on a compact, integrated platform remains a significant technological challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a monolithic dielectric metasurface capable of generating VVB arrays with independently addressable optical states.
• To overcome the limitations of current platforms for structured light generation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dual meta-atom architecture in silicon carbide to create a monolithic dielectric metasurface.
• Designed the metasurface to provide full access to spatial vector states on higher-order Poincaré spheres.

Main Results:

• Successfully realized multimodal VVB arrays.
• Demonstrated the utility of these arrays in high-capacity holographic multiplexing and secure information encryption.
• Achieved on-chip multidimensional structured light generation in the visible domain.

Conclusions:

• The developed silicon carbide metasurface offers a compact and versatile platform for generating VVB arrays.
• This technology has promising applications in quantum information science, optical manipulation, and high-density communications.