Pluggable multitask diffractive neural networks based on cascaded metasurfaces

Optical neural networks have significant advantages in terms of power consumption,parallelism,and high computing speed,which has intrigued extensive attention in both academic and engineering communities.It has been considered as one of the powerful tools in promoting the fields of imaging processing and object recognition.However,the existing optical system architecture cannot be reconstructed to the realization of multi-functional artificial intelligence systems simultaneously.To push the development of this issue,we propose the pluggable diffractive neural networks(P-DNN),a general paradigm resorting to the cascaded metasurfaces,which can be applied to recognize various tasks by switching internal plug-ins.As the proof-of-principle,the recognition functions of six types of handwritten digits and six types of fashions are numerical simulated and experimental demonstrated at near-infrared regimes.Encouragingly,the proposed paradigm not only improves the flexibility of the optical neural networks but paves the new route for achieving high-speed,low-power and versatile artificial intelligence systems.

Resonantly enhanced second-and third-harmonic generation in dielectric nonlinear metasurfaces

Nonlinear dielectric metasurfaces provide a promising approach to control and manipulate frequency conversion optical processes at the nanoscale,thus facilitating both advances in fundamental research and the development of new practical applications in photonics,lasing,and sensing.Here,we employ symmetry-broken metasurfaces made of centrosymmetric amorphous silicon for resonantly enhanced second-and third-order nonlinear optical response.Exploiting the rich physics of optical quasi-bound states in the continuum and guided mode resonances,we comprehensively study through rigorous numerical calculations the relative contribution of surface and bulk effects to second-harmonic generation(SHG)and the bulk contribution to third-harmonic generation(THG) from the meta-atoms.Next,we experimentally achieve optical resonances with high quality factors,which greatly boosts light-matter interaction,resulting in about 550 times SHG enhancement and nearly 5000-fold increase of THG.A good agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements is observed.To gain deeper insights into the physics of the investigated nonlinear optical processes,we further numerically study the relation between nonlinear emission and the structural asymmetry of the metasurface and reveal that the generated harmonic signals arising from linear sharp resonances are highly dependent on the asymmetry of the meta-atoms.Our work suggests a fruitful strategy to enhance the harmonic generation and effectively control different orders of harmonics in all-dielectric metasurfaces,enabling the development of efficient active photonic nanodevices.

Liquid crystal-integrated metasurfaces for an active photonic platform

Metasurfaces have opened the door to next-generation optical devices due to their ability to dramatically modulate electromagnetic waves at will using periodically arranged nanostructures.However,metasurfaces typically have static optical responses with fixed geometries of nanostructures,which poses challenges for implementing transition to technology by replacing conventional optical components.To solve this problem,liquid crystals(LCs)have been actively employed for designing tunable metasurfaces using their adjustable birefringent in real time.Here,we review recent studies on LCpowered tunable metasurfaces,which are categorized as wavefront tuning and spectral tuning.Compared to numerous reviews on tunable metasurfaces,this review intensively explores recent development of LC-integrated metasurfaces.At the end of this review,we briefly introduce the latest research trends on LC-powered metasurfaces and suggest further directions for improving LCs.We hope that this review will accelerate the development of new and innovative LC-powered devices.

Spin-controlled generation of a complete polarization set with randomly-interleaved plasmonic metasurfaces

Optical metasurfaces,comprising subwavelength quasi-planar nanostructures,constitute a universal platform for manipulating the amplitude,phase,and polarization of light,thus paving a way for the next generation of highly integrated multifunctional optical devices.In this work,we introduce a reflective metasurface for the generation of a complete(angularly resolved)polarization set by randomly interleaving anisotropic plasmonic meta-atoms acting as nanoscale wave plates.In the proof-of-concept demonstration,we achieve multidirectional beam-steering into different polarization channels forming a complete set of polarization states,which can also be dynamically altered by switching the spin of incident light.The developed design concept represents a significant advancement in achieving flat polarization optics with advanced functionalities.

Generation of structured light beams with polarization variation along arbitrary spatial trajectories using tri-layer metasurfaces

Conventionally,the spatially structured light beams produced by metasurfaces primarily highlight the polarization modulation of the beams propagating along the optical axis or the beams'spatial transmission trajectory.In particular,along the optical axis,the polarization state is either constant or varies continuously in each output plane.Here,we develop innovative spatially structured light beams with continually changing polarization along any arbitrary spatial transmission trajectories.With tri-layer metallic metasurfaces,the geometric characteristics of each layer structure can be adjusted to modulate the phase and polarization state of the incident terahertz(THz)wave.The beam will converge to the predefined trajectory along several paths to generate a Bessel-like beam with longitudinal polarization changes.We demonstrate the versatility of the approach by designing two THz-band structured light beams with varying polarization states along the spatial helical transmission trajectory.Continuous linear polarization changes and linear polarization to right circular polarization(RCP)and back to linear polarization changes are realized respectively.The experimental results are basically consistent with the simulated results.Our proposal for arbitrary trajectory structured light beams with longitudinally varying polarization offers a practical method for continuously regulating the characteristics of spatial structured light beams with non-axial transmission.This technique has potential uses in optical encryption,particle manipulation,and biomedical imaging.

Hybrid bound states in the continuum in terahertz metasurfaces

Bound states in the continuum(BICs)have exhibited extraordinary properties in photonics for enhanced light-matter interactions that enable appealing applications in nonlinear optics,biosensors,and ultrafast optical switches.The most common strategy to apply BICs in a metasurface is by breaking symmetry of resonators in the uniform array that leaks the otherwise uncoupled mode to free space and exhibits an inverse quadratic relationship between quality factor(Q)and asymmetry.Here,we propose a scheme to further reduce scattering losses and improve the robustness of symmetry-protected BICs by decreasing the radiation density with a hybrid BIC lattice.We observe a significant increase of radiative Q in the hybrid lattice compared to the uniform lattice with a factor larger than 14.6.In the hybrid BIC lattice,modes are transferred toГpoint inherited from high symmetric X,Y,and M points in the Brillouin zone that reveal as multiple Fano resonances in the far field and would find applications in hyperspectral sensing.This work initiates a novel and generalized path toward reducing scattering losses and improving the robustness of BICs in terms of lattice engineering that would release the rigid requirements of fabrication accuracy and benefit applications of photonics and optoelectronic devices.

Multifunctional light-field modulation based on hybrid nonlinear metasurfaces

The generation characteristics of nonlinear optical signals and their multi-dimensional modulation at micro-nano scale have become a prominent research area in nanophotonics,and also the key to developing various novel nonlinear photonics devices.In recent years,the demand for higher nonlinear conversion efficiency and device integration has led to the rapid progress of hybrid nonlinear metasurfaces composed of nanostructures and nonlinear materials.As a joint platform of stable wavefront modulation,nonlinear metasurface and efficient frequency conversion,hybrid nonlinear metasurfaces offer a splendid opportunity for developing the next-generation of multipurpose flat-optics devices.This article provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in hybrid nonlinear metasurfaces for light-field modulation.The advantages of hybrid systems are discussed from the perspectives of multifunctional light-field modulation,valleytronic modulation,and quantum technologies.Finally,the remaining challenges of hybrid metasurfaces are summarized and future developments are also prospected.

Sound absorbing properties of spiral metasurfaces inspired by micro-perforated plates

As a kind of classical low-frequency sound-absorbing material,the microperforated plate(MPP)has been widely used.Here,we inspired by the sound absorption mechanism of the MPP,a spiral metasurface(SM)is designed and the analytical solution of acoustic impedance and sound absorption coefficient are obtained.The relationship between the sound absorption properties of the MPP and the SM with their own structures is systematically studied,and the analytical solutions are used to optimise the structure.It is concluded that the MPP and the SM of the same thickness achieve effective absorption in the frequency range between 390-900 Hz and 1920-4266 Hz,with a total thickness less than 1/6 of the wavelength.Meanwhile,the numerical calculation shows that the MPP and SM can match well with the background medium in the effective rang.Our study provides new insights into the design methods of sound-absorbing materials and is potentially suitable for many acoustic engineering applications.

Planar peristrophic multiplexing metasurfaces

As a promising counterpart of two-dimensional metamaterials,metasurfaces enable to arbitrarily control the wavefront of light at subwavelength scale and hold promise for planar holography and applicable multiplexing devices.Nevertheless,the degrees of freedom(DoF)to orthogonally multiplex data have been almost exhausted.Compared with state-of-theart methods that extensively employ the orthogonal basis such as wavelength,polarization or orbital angular momentum,we propose an unprecedented method of peristrophic multiplexing by combining the spatial frequency orthogonality with the subwavelength detour phase principle.The orthogonal relationship between the spatial frequency of incident light and the locally shifted building blocks of metasurfaces can be regarded as an additional DoF.We experimentally demonstrate the viability of the multiplexed holograms.Moreover,this newly-explored orthogonality is compatible with conventional DoFs.Our findings will contribute to the development of multiplexing metasurfaces and provide a novel solution to nanophotonics,such as large-capacity chip-scale devices and highly integrated communication.

Metasurfaces for near-eye display applications

Virtual reality(VR)and augmented reality(AR)are revolutionizing our lives.Near-eye displays are crucial technologies for VR and AR.Despite the rapid advances in near-eye display technologies,there are still challenges such as large field of view,high resolution,high image quality,natural free 3D effect,and compact form factor.Great efforts have been devoted to striking a balance between visual performance and device compactness.While traditional optics are nearing their limitations in addressing these challenges,ultra-thin metasurface optics,with their high light-modulating capabilities,may present a promising solution.In this review,we first introduce VR and AR near-eye displays,and then briefly explain the working principles of light-modulating metasurfaces,review recent developments in metasurface devices geared toward near-eye display applications,delved into several advanced natural 3D near-eye display technologies based on metasurfaces,and finally discuss about the remaining challenges and future perspectives associated with metasurfaces for near-eye display applications.

Graphene-Based Active Tunable Metasurfaces for Dynamic Terahertz Absorption and Polarization Conversion

Simultaneous broadband absorption and polarization conversion are crucial in many practical applications,especially in terahertz communications.Thus,actively tunable metamaterial systems can exploit the graphene-based nanomaterials derived from renewable resources because of the flexible surface conductivity and selective permeability of the nanomaterials at terahertz frequencies.In this paper,we propose a graphene-based active tunable bifunctional metasurface for dynamic terahertz absorption and polarization conversion.The graphene ring presents a certain opening angle(A)along the diagonal of the xoy plane.When A=0°,the proposed metasurface behaves as a broadband absorber.Numerical results show the feasibility of achieving this polarization-insensitive absorber with nearly 100%absorptance,and the bandwidth of its 90%absorptance is 1.22 THz under normal incidence.Alternatively,when A=40°after optimization,the proposed metasurface serves as a broadband polarization convertor,resulting in robust broadband polarization conversion ratio(PCR)curves with a bandwidth surpassing 0.5 THz in the reflection spectrum.To tune the PCR response or the broad absorption spectrum of graphene,we change the Fermi energy of graphene dynamically from 0 to 0.9 eV.Furthermore,both the broadband absorption and the linear polarization conversion spectra of the proposed metasurface exhibit insensitivity to the incident angle,allowing large incident angles within 40°under high-performance operating conditions.To demonstrate the physical process,we present the impedance matching theory and measure electric field distributions.This architecture in the THz frequency range has several applications,such as in modulators,sensors,stealth,and optoelectronic switches.THz wave polarization and beam steering also have broad application prospects in the field of intelligent systems.

Symmetry breaking of photonic spin-orbit interactions in metasurfaces

Spin-orbit optical phenomena pertain to the wider class of electromagnetic effects originating from the interaction of the photon spin with the spatial structure and propagation characteristics of an optical wave,mediated by suitable optical media.There are many emerging photonic applications of spin-orbit interactions(SOI)of light,such as control of the optical wave propagation via the spin,enhanced optical manipulation,and generation of structured optical fields.Unfortunately,current applications are based on symmetric SOI,that is,the behaviours of polarized photons with two opposite spins are opposite,leading to the limit of spin-based multiplexers.The symmetry of SOI can be broken in our proposed metasurfaces,consisting of spatially varying birefringence,which can arbitrarily and independently build SOI for two opposite spins without reduction of optical energy usage.We obtain three kinds of dual-functional metasurfaces at visible and infrared wavelengths with high efficiency.Our concept of generation of asymmetric SOI for two spins,using anisotropic metasurfaces,will open new degrees of freedoms for building new types of spin-controlled multifunctional shared-aperture devices for the generation of complex structured optical fields.

All-dielectric χ^(2) metasurfaces: recent progress

Optical metasurfaces,i.e.arrays of nanoantennas with sub-wavelength size and separation,enable the manipulation of light-matter interactions in miniaturized optical components with no classical counterparts.Six decades after the first ob-servation of the second harmonic generation(SHG)in bulk crystals,these devices are expected to break new ground in the field of nonlinear optics,shifting the focus from the phase matching approach achieved within long propagation dis-tances to that of near-field resonances interplay in leaky nanocavities.Here we review the recent progress in SHG with all-dielectric metasurfaces.We discuss the most used technological platforms which underpinned such advances and analyze different SHG control approaches.We finally compare their performances with other well-established technolo-gies,with the hope to delineate the current state-of-the-art and figure out a few scenarios in which these devices might soon offer unprecedented opportunities.

Quantum photonics based on metasurfaces

From metamaterials to metasurfaces,optical nano-structure has been widely investigated for novel and high efficiency functionalities.Apart from the intrisinsic properties of composite material,rich capabilities can be derived from the judi-cious design of metasurfaces,which enable more excellent and highly integrated optical devices than traditional bulk op-tical elements.In the meantime,the abundant manipulation abilites of light in the classical domain can be carried over in-to quantum domain.In this review,we highlight recent development of quantum optics based on metasurfaces,ranging from quantum plasmonics,generation,manipulation and appplication of quantum light to quantum vaccum engineering etc.Finally,some promising avenues for quantum optics with the help of optical metasurface are presented.

Photoluminescence control by hyperbolic metamaterials and metasurfaces:a review

Photolu min esce nee in clud ing fluoresce nee plays a great role in a wide variety of applicati ons from biomedical sensing and imag ing to optoelectr on ics.Therefore,the enhan ceme nt and con trol of photolu min esce nee has imme nse impact on both fun dame ntal scie ntific research and aforeme nti oned applicati ons.Among various nano phot tonic schemes and nanostructures to enhance the photoluminescence,we focus on a certain type of nanostructures,hyperbolic metamaterials(HMMs).HMMs are highly ani sotropic metamaterials,which produce intense localized electric fields.Therefore,HMMs n aturally boost photolu min esce nee from dye molecules,qua ntum dots,n itroge n-vaca ncy cen ters in diam on ds,perovskites and tra nsiti on metal dichalcoge nides.We provide an overview of various con figuratio ns of HMMs,i nclud ing metal-dielectric multilayers,trenches,metallic nanowires,and cavity structures fabricated with the use of noble metals,transparent conductive oxides,and refractory metals as plasmonic elements.We also discuss lasing action realized with HMMs.

Metamaterials and metasurfaces for designing metadevices:Perfect absorbers and microstrip patch antennas

In the past twenty years, electromagnetic metamaterials represented by left-handed metamaterials（LHMs） have attracted considerable attention due to the unique properties such as negative refraction, perfect lens, and electromagnetic cloaks. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of our group＇s work on metamaterials and metasurfaces. We present several types of LHMs and chiral metamaterials. As a two-dimensional equivalent of bulk three-dimensional metamaterials, metasurfaces have led to a myriad of devices due to the advantages of lower profile, lower losses, and simpler to fabricate than bulk three-dimensional metamaterials. We demonstrate the novel microwave metadevices based on metamaterials and metasurfaces： perfect absorbers and microwave patch antennas, including novel transmission line antennas,high gain resonant cavity antennas, wide scanning phased array antennas, and circularly polarized antennas.

Review:Chromatic Dispersion Manipulation Based on Optical Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces are densely arrayed two⁃dimensional(2D)artificial planar metamaterials,which can manipulate the polarization,distribution,and amplitude of light by accurately controlling the phase of the scattering light.The flat metasurface has the potential to substantially reduce the thickness and complexity of the structures and allows ease of fabrication and integration into devices.However,the inherent chromatic aberration of the metasurface originating from the resonant dispersion of the antennas and the intrinsic chromatic dispersion limit their quality.How to effectively suppress or manipulate the chromatic aberration of metalenses has attracted worldwide attention in the last few years,leading to a variety of excellent achievements.Furthermore,utilizing the chromatic dispersion of metasurface to realize special functionalities is also of significant importance.In this review,the most promising recent examples of chromatic dispersion manipulation based on optical metasurface materials are highlighted and put into perspective.

High Refractive Index Ti3O5 Films for Dielectric Metasurfaces

Ti33O55 films are deposited with the help of an electron beam evaporator for their applications in metasurfaces. The film of subwavelength （632nm） thickness is deposited on a silicon substrate and annealed at 400℃. The ellipsometry result shows a high refractive index above 2.5 with the minimum absorption coefficient in the visible region, which is necessary for high efficiency of transparent metasurfaces. Atomic force microscopy analysis is employed to measure the roughness of the as-deposited films. It is seen from micrographs that the deposited films are very smooth with the minimum roughness to prevent scattering and absorption losses for metasurface devices. The absence of grains and cracks can be seen by scanning electron microscope analysis, which is favorable for electron beam lithography. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals the transmission and reflection obtained from the film deposited on glass substrates. The as-deposited film shows high transmission above 60%, which is in good agreement with metasurfaces.

Dual-polarized lens antenna based on multimode metasurfaces

We propose a dual-polarized lens antenna system based on isotropic metasurfaces for 12 GHz applications. The metasurface lens is composed of subwavelength unit cells（0.24λ0） with metallic strips etched on the top and bottom sides of the unit cell, and a cross-slots metallic layer in the middle that serves as the ground. The multimode resonance in the unit cell can realize a large phase shift（covering 0？–360？）, and the total transmission efficiency of the lens is above 80%.The feed antenna at the focal point of the lens is a broadband dual-polarized microstrip antenna. Both the simulated and the measured results demonstrate that the dual-polarized lens antenna system can realize a gain of more than 16.1 dB, and an input port isolation of more than 25.0 dB.

Complementary bilayer metasurfaces for enhanced terahertz wave amplitude andphase manipulation

Manipulation of terahertz wave by metasurfaces has shown tremendous potential in developing compact and functional terahertz optical devices.Here,we propose complementary bilayer metasurfaces for enhanced terahertz wave amplitude and phase manipulation.The metasurfaces are composed of one layer of metal cut-wire arrays and one layer of their complementary aperture arrays separated by a dielectric spacer.Through the near-field coupling between transverse magnetic resonances in the metal apertures and electric resonances in the metal cut-wires,the structures can manipulate the cross polarization conversion and phase dispersion of terahertz wave.Particularly,the designed metasurfaces demonstrate a phase delay of 180°between two orthogonal axes with the same transmission amplitude between 0.70 and 1.0 THz,enabling a 45°broadband polarization conversion.When the metal cut-wires are rotated with respect to the apertures or the thickness of the dielectric spacer is changed,the amplitude and phase dispersion of the transmitted terahertz wave can be tuned.Such complementary coupled bilayer metasurfaces offer a new method to control the amplitude and phase dispersion of terahertz wave and promise great potential for applications in terahertz meta-devices.