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Multi-Channel Electrically Tunable Varifocal Metalens With Compact Multilayer Polarization-Dependent Metasurfaces and

Zhiyao Ma1, Yize Liu1, Zhe Li1

  • 1Department of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|May 4, 2026
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents a compact, eight-channel electrically tunable varifocal metalens using liquid crystals and metasurfaces. This innovation offers a scalable solution for miniaturized optical systems and advanced display technologies.

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Area of Science:

  • Optics and Photonics
  • Materials Science
  • Electrical Engineering

Background:

  • Traditional varifocal lenses rely on bulky mechanical components.
  • Metasurfaces offer miniaturization potential but struggle with electrical tunability and focal length scalability.
  • Previous work demonstrated 2^N channels using cascaded polarization-dependent metasurfaces and liquid crystals (LCs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a compact, electrically tunable varifocal metalens with a scalable number of focal lengths.
  • To overcome limitations of existing varifocal metalenses regarding electrical tunability and focal length range.
  • To demonstrate a practical device for advanced optical systems.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a compact eight-channel varifocal metalens using three single-layer polarization-multiplexed bi-focal metalenses.
  • Integration of three liquid crystal (LC) cells for electrical tunability.
  • Cascading polarization-dependent metasurfaces to achieve multiple focal lengths.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated an eight-channel electrically tunable varifocal metalens with a total thickness of approximately 6 mm.
  • Achieved switchable focal lengths within the range of 3.6-9.6 mm (3.6, 4.2, 4.5, 4.9, 6.2, 6.9, 8.4, 9.6 mm).
  • The proposed scheme is scalable for both the number and range of focal lengths.

Conclusions:

  • The developed varifocal metalens offers significant miniaturization advantages over traditional lenses.
  • The scalable design opens possibilities for integration into compact imaging systems, AR/VR displays, and LiDAR.
  • This work advances the development of tunable optical components for next-generation photonic devices.