Vectorial Holograms with Spatially Continuous Polarization Distributions

Abstract

Metasurface-based holography presents opportunities for applications that include optical displays, data storage, and optical encryption. Holograms that control polarization are sometimes referred to as vectorial holograms. Most studies on this topic have concerned devices that display different images when illuminated with different polarization states. Fewer studies have demonstrated holographic images whose polarization varies spatially, i.e. as a function of position within the image. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a vectorial hologram that produces an image with a spatially-continuous distribution of polarization states, for the first time to our knowledge. An unlimited number of polarization states can be achieved within the image. Furthermore, the holographic image and its polarization map (polarization vs position in image) are independent. The same image can be thus encoded with different polarization maps. As far as we know, our approach is conceptually new. We anticipate that it could broaden the application scope of metasurface holography.

Jones matrix holography with metasurfaces

“…This is described in more detail in the Supplementary Materials (section S2). This is achieved without interlacing multiple separately designed metasurfaces together (often dubbed "spatial multiplexing"), a now-common strategy (14)(15)(16)27).…”

Multiplexing Vectorial Holographic Images with Arbitrary Metaholograms

“…In experiment, the multiplexed efficiency at the working wavelength 532 nm is 26.3% (see Figure 2d), which is higher than those mentioned. [ 36,37 ] More details about the diffraction efficiency can be found in Note S2 in the Supporting Information.…”

“…Up to now, only a few metasurfaces have been designed with controlling the phase distribution in far field to forming vectorial distributions. [ 35–37 ] In ref. [ 35 ] , a vectorial holographic image is reconstructed in far field when two linear cross polarizations are controlled dependently.…”

“…In ref. [ 37 ] vectorial holographic images with polarization distributions were generated through continuously arranging the positions of same holograms designed for two circular polarizations, which are unable to discretely design the phase differences at the close position. Although the holographic images can be different from each other in theory as mentioned in ref.…”

“…Although the holographic images can be different from each other in theory as mentioned in ref. [ 37 ] , the holographic images are still designed to be the same with each other in experiment. Vectorial holographic images with versatile polarizations can also be generated by adopting the super‐pixels [ 38–40 ] and even multilayered structures.…”