Dynamic circular birefringence response with fractured geometric phase metasurface systems
Abstract
Optical activity is a fundamental property of symmetry-broken three-dimensional systems and enables control of the polarization state of electromagnetic waves. This work introduces a type of reconfigurable geometric phase response in which shearing displacements between two Pancharatnam–Berry-phase metasurfaces transduce chiral symmetry breaking within nanoscale waveguide structures. These metasurface systems, termed fractured metasurface waveplates, can be tailored to support dynamically tunable, broadband circular birefringence responses. Polarization modulation is based on microscopic motions and uniquely enables high-speed modulation over large area apertures. Our system paves the way for new classes of nanophotonic devices that feature systems-level symmetry breaking for controlling electromagnetic waves, which is relevant for sensing, imaging, and quantum-control applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 16, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2122085119
Entities
People
- Evan W. Wang
- Jonathan A. Fan
- Scott Dhuey
- Shangjie Yu
- Thaibao Phan
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Stanford University