Analytic solution for double optical metasurface beam scanners

Abstract

Optical metasurfaces are researched more and more intensively for the possible realization of lightweight and compact optical devices with novel functionalities. In this paper, a new beam-steering system based on double metasurface lenses (metalenses) is proposed and developed. The proposed system is lightweight, small volume, low cost, and easy to integrate. The exact close-form forward and numerical inverse solutions are derived respectively using the generalized Snell’s law of refraction. Given the orientations of the double metalenses, the pointing position can be accurately determined. If the desired pointing position is given, the required metalenses’ orientations can be obtained by applied global optimization algorithms to solve nonlinear equations related to the inverse problem. The relationships of the scan region and blind zone with the system parameters are derived. The method to eliminate the blind zone is given. Comparison with double Risley-prism systems is also conducted. This work provides a new approach to control light beams.