Rapidly developing augmented reality (AR) and 3D holographic display technologies require spatial light modulators (SLM) with high resolution and viewing angle to be able to satisfy increasing customer demands. Currently available SLMs, as well as their performance, are limited by their large pixel sizes of the order of several micrometres. Further pixel size miniaturization has been stagnant due to the persistent challenge to reduce the inter-pixel crosstalk associated with the liquid crystal (LC) cell thickness, which has to be large enough to accumulate the required 2π phase difference. Here, we propose a concept of tunable dielectric metasurfaces modulated by a liquid crystal environment, which can provide abrupt phase change and uncouple the phase accumulation from the LC cell thickness, ultimately enabling the pixel size miniaturization. We present a proof-of-concept metasurface-based SLM device, configured to generate active beam steering with >35% efficiency and large beam 2 deflection angle of 11°, with LC cell thickness of only 1.5 μm, much smaller than conventional devices. We achieve the pixel size of 1.14 μm corresponding to the image resolution of 877 lp/mm, which is 30 times larger comparing to the presently available commercial SLM devices.High resolution and viewing angle of the metasurface-based SLMs opens up a new path to the next generation of near-eye AR and 3D holographic display technologies.

This article reports the study of infrared plasmonics with both random and periodic arrays of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanorods (NR). A description is given on the synthesis, patterning, and characterization of physical properties of the ITO NR arrays. A classical scattering model, along with a 3-D finite-element-method and a 3-D finite-difference-time-domain numerical simulation method has been used to interpret the unique light scattering phenomena. It is also shown that the intrinsic plasma frequency can be varied through careful postsynthesis processing of the ITO NRs. Examples are given on how coupled plasmon resonances can be tuned through patterning of the ITO NR arrays. In addition, environment dielectric sensing has been demonstrated through the shift of the resonances as a result of index change surrounding the NRs. These initial results suggest potential for further improvement and opportunities to develop a good understanding of infrared plasmonics using ITO and other transparent conducting oxide semiconducting materials.

Electron irradiation induced covalent cross‐linking at multiple length scales within double‐walled nanotube bundles is demonstrated to lead to ultrahigh effective strength and stiffness. In situ transmission electron microscopy tensile testing reveals both order of magnitude enhancements in the mechanical properties as well as distinct failure mechanisms of cross‐linked versus un‐crosslinked bundles.

Bithiophene imide (BTI) and benzodithiophene (BDT) copolymers are synthesized for application in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. The electron deficiency of the BTI units leads to polymers with a low-lying HOMOs (∼-5.6 eV). Inverted solar cells are fabricated to investigate the OPV performance of the BTI-based polymers and achieve power conversion efficiencies up to 5.5%, with substantial V(oc)s above 0.9 V which are among the highest V(oc)s reported to date for polymer/PCBM solar cells. The results indicate that the BTI is a promising building block for constructing polymer donors for OPV applications.