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Thermally Reconfigurable Metasurfaces: From Linear Wavefront Control to Nonlinear and Chemical Functionality
Omer Can Karaman1, Gopal Narmada Naidu1, Agostino Di Francescantonio1
1Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies, STI, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nano Letters
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Thermo-optical metasurfaces use heat to control light, enabling diverse functionalities from spectral control to advanced chemical applications. This review unifies their mechanisms and highlights future opportunities in reconfigurable photonics and spectroscopy.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics and Metasurfaces
- Optical Engineering
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Resonant metasurfaces focus light into small volumes, making them sensitive to temperature changes.
- Temperature variations can significantly alter spectral features, offering a method for optical control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a unified perspective on thermo-optical metasurfaces.
- To connect photothermal transduction and temperature-dependent refractive indices to diverse functionalities.
- To explore applications in reconfigurable photonics, spectroscopy, and chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Review of photothermal transduction mechanisms in metasurfaces.
- Analysis of temperature-dependent refractive indices.
- Comparison of material platforms and resonance architectures.
Main Results:
- A single physical mechanism links diverse functionalities, including wavefront and spectral control.
- Thermo-optical effects enable linear regime control, bistability, nonreciprocity, and modulation of nonlinear/quantum optics.
- Emerging applications include controlling chemical reactions and enhancing molecular signatures.
Conclusions:
- Thermo-optical metasurfaces offer a powerful platform for light control using heat.
- Key opportunities lie in developing reconfigurable photonics, advanced spectroscopy, and novel chemical applications.
- Further research is needed to address challenges in material platforms and resonance designs.
