Optical spin-symmetry breaking for high-efficiency directional helicity-multiplexed metaholograms

Helicity-multiplexed metasurfaces based on symmetric spin–orbit interactions (SOIs) have practical limits because they cannot provide central-symmetric holographic imaging. Asymmetric SOIs can effectively address such limitations, with several exciting applications in various fields ranging from asymmetric data inscription in communications to dual side displays in smart mobile devices. Low-loss dielectric materials provide an excellent platform for realizing such exotic phenomena efficiently. In this paper, we demonstrate an asymmetric SOI-dependent transmission-type metasurface in the visible domain using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) nanoresonators. The proposed design approach is equipped with an additional degree of freedom in designing bi-directional helicity-multiplexed metasurfaces by breaking the conventional limit imposed by the symmetric SOI in half employment of metasurfaces for one circular handedness. Two on-axis, distinct wavefronts are produced with high transmission efficiencies, demonstrating the concept of asymmetric wavefront generation in two antiparallel directions. Additionally, the CMOS compatibility of a-Si:H makes it a cost-effective alternative to gallium nitride (GaN) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for visible light. The cost-effective fabrication and simplicity of the proposed design technique provide an excellent candidate for high-efficiency, multifunctional, and chip-integrated demonstration of various phenomena.

Giant chiro-optical responses in multipolar-resonances-based single-layer dielectric metasurfaces

Chiro-optical effects offer a wide range of potential applications in nanophotonics,such as advanced imaging and molecular sensing and separation.Flat single-layer metasurfaces composed of subwavelength meta-atoms have gained significant attention due to their exceptional characteristics in light–matter interactions.Although metasurface-based devices have manipulated electromagnetic waves,the compact on-chip realization of giant chiro-optical effects remains a challenge at optical frequencies.In this work,we experimentally and numerically demonstrate an all-dielectric metasurface to realize large chiro-optical effects in the visible regime.Notably,the proposed strategy of utilizing achiral nanofins instead of conventional chiral structures provides an extra degree of design freedom.The mutual coupling between carefully engineered nanofins produces constructive and destructive interference,leading to the asymmetric transmission of 70%and average circular dichroism exceeding 60%.We investigate the underlying mechanism behind the chiro-optical effects using the theory of multipolar decomposition.The proposed design mechanism maximizes the chiro-optical response through a single-layer metasurface with potential applications in high-efficiency integrated ultrathin polarization rotators and shapers,chiral polarizers for optical displays,chiral beam splitters,and chiral sensors.