Improving resolution of superlens based on solid immersion mechanism

Super-resolution imaging with superlens has been one of the fundamental research topics. Unfortunately, the resolution of superlens is inevitably restrained by material loss. To address the problem, we introduce the solid immersion mechanism into the slab superlens and the cylindrical superlens. The proposed solid immersion slab superlens(SISSL) and the solid immersion cylindrical superlens(SICSL) can improve the resolution by converting evanescent wave to propagating wave using high refractive index materials. From the perspective of applications, the cylindrical superlens with finite cross section and the ability of magnification or demagnification has more advantages than the slab superlens. Therefore,we focus on demonstrating analytically the super-resolution imaging of SICSL. Due to the impedance mismatching caused by solid immersion mechanism, the whispering gallery modes(WGMs) are excited between SICSL and the air interface.We clarify the excitation conditions of WGMs and analyze their influence on the imaging quality of SICSL. The SISSL and SICSL may pave a way to apply in lithography technique and real-time biomolecular imaging in future.

Arbitrary acoustic orbital angular momentum detection using dual-layer metasurfaces

Orbital angular momentum(OAM),with its unique physical properties and vast application prospects,has attracted widespread attention in various fields.Nonetheless,the development of valid and practical acoustic OAM detection methods continues to be a challenging endeavor.In this paper,we propose a novel construction method of dual-layer metasurfaces to achieve a doubleconversion process for the waveform reshaping and differentiated focusing of two-dimensional vortex sources with different OAMs.Specifically,by utilizing a concise formula,a one-to-one correspondence is established between the OAM of incident vortex waves and different imaging points.The fundamental principle of this special conversion relationship is rigorously constrained by the directional compensation of phase and the material parameters of dual-layer metasurfaces with different quadratic phase distributions.More importantly,the highly consistent results between numerical demonstrations and acoustic experiments further confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed OAM detection scheme.Our work provides a new perspective on the precise manipulation for the phase of vortex fields,holding potential applications in super-resolution imaging and the design of acoustic OAM-based devices.

Efficient conversion of acoustic vortex using extremely anisotropic metasurface

Vortex wave and plane wave,as two most fundamental forms of wave propagation,are widely applied in various research fields.However,there is currently a lack of basic mechanism to enable arbitrary conversion between them.In this paper,we propose a new paradigm of extremely anisotropic acoustic metasurface(AM)to achieve the efficient conversion from 2D vortex waves with arbitrary orbital angular momentum(OAM)to plane waves.The underlying physics of this conversion process is ensured by the symmetry shift of AM medium parameters and the directional compensation of phase.Moreover,this novel phenomenon is further verified by analytical calculations,numerical demonstrations,and acoustic experiments,and the deflection angle and direction of the converted plane waves are qualitatively and quantitatively confirmed by a simple formula.Our work provides new possibilities for arbitrary manipulation of acoustic vortex,and holds potential applications in acoustic communication and OAM-based devices.

Vortex localization and OAM selective conversion via cylindrical metagratings

Vortex waves with orbital angular momentum(OAM)are a highly active research topic in various fields.In this paper,we design and investigate cylindrical metagratings(CMs)with an even number of unit cells that can efficiently achieve vortex localization and specific OAM selective conversion.The multifunctional manipulation of vortex waves and the new OAM conservation law have further been confirmed through analytical calculations and numerical simulations.In addition,we qualitatively and quantitatively determine the OAM range for vortex localization and the OAM value of vortex selective conversion and also explore the stability for performance and potential applications of the designed structure.This work holds potential applications in particle manipulation and optical communication.

Effective medium theory of checkboard structures in the long-wavelength limit

Effective medium theory is a powerful tool to solve various problems for achieving multifarious functionalities and applications. In this article, we present a concise empirical formula about effective permittivity of checkboard structures for different directions. To verify our empirical formula, we perform simulations of checkboard periodic structures in squares, rectangles, and sectors in two dimensions. Our results show that the formula is valid in a large range of parameters. This work provides a new way to understand and design composite materials, which might lead to further optical applications in transformation optics.

Photonic crystal slabs with maximal chiroptical response empowered by bound states in the continuum

To enhance the strength of chiral light–matter interaction for practical applications,the chirality and quality factors(Q-factors)of current methods need to be strengthened simultaneously.Here,we propose a design of photonic crystal slabs(Ph Cs)supporting chiral bound states in the continuum(BICs)of transverse electric(TE)and transverse magnetic(TM)modes,exhibiting maximal chiroptical responses with high Q-factors and near-unity circular dichroism(CD=0.98).Different from the past,the Ph Cs we employed only have reduced in-plane symmetry and can support simultaneously chiral quasi-BICs(q-BICs)of TE and TM mode with two-dimensional ultra-strong external and internal chirality.Based on the temporal coupled-mode theory,two analytical expressions of CD of chiral q-BICs response are revealed,which are consistent with the simulation results.Furthermore,we elucidate these results within the charge-current multipole expansion framework and demonstrate that the co-excitation of higher-order multipole electric/magnetic modes is responsible for near-perfect CD.Our results may provide more flexible opportunities for various applications requiring high Q-factors and chirality control,such as chiral lasing,chiral sensing,and enantiomer separation.