Metasurface-Enabled 3-in-1 Microscopy

Abstract

Edge enhancement and polarization detection are critical to image transparent or low-contrast samples. However, currently available systems are limited to performing only a single functionality. To meet the requirement of system integration, there is a pressing need for a microscope with multiple functionalities. Here, we propose and develop a microscope with three different functionalities based on spatial multiplexing and polarization splitting. A novel geometric metasurface (MS) is used to realize a spiral phase profile and two phase gradient profiles along two vertical directions, which can perform such an extremely challenging optical task. This is the first demonstration of a 3-in-1 microscope that can simultaneously obtain five images with different optical properties in an imaging plane for the same sample. Imaging experiments with different samples verify its capability to simultaneously perform edge imaging, polarimetric imaging, and conventional microscope imaging. Benefiting from the compactness and multifunctionality of the optical MS device, the integration does not increase the volume of the microscope. This approach can enable users to visualize the multiple facets of samples in real-time.

Broadband twisted light beams generation using flat optics

“…In the last decade, there has been a surge of interest in the field of metasurfaces, which promise exceptional possibilities for light molding beyond what traditional planar interfaces can provide [50]- [54]. Various improvements have been made in metasurface technology to enhance its performance.…”

Longitudinally variable 3D optical polarization structures

“…Optical metasurfaces are planar nanostructured interfaces and have unprecedented capability in the manipulation of light propagation, which has been used to develop a plethora of unusual optical devices and systems, e.g., multifoci lenses ( 13 – 15 ), compact spectrometers ( 16 – 19 ), multifunctional microscopes ( 2 ), spin-dependent holograms ( 20 – 27 ), and vectorial holography ( 28 – 31 ). Recently, the unique properties of the optical metasurfaces have been used for creating 3D polarization structures, including 3D polarization knots ( 32 ), color-selective 3D polarization knots ( 33 ), and pencil-like beams with different polarization states ( 34 ).…”

“…Precise polarization control plays a vital role in polarization optics and has been applied in many fields such as quantum optics (1), polarimetric imaging (2,3), sensing, and optical displays (4,5). Various polarization profiles have been demonstrated (6)(7)(8)(9).…”

Bright-Field and Edge-Enhanced Imaging Using an Electrically Tunable Dual-Mode Metalens

“…They have been developed for various different applications, from structural color, − metaholography, , to all-solid-state LiDAR. , Furthermore, by designing meta-atoms that physically impart a hyperbolic phase across the diameter of a metasurface, metalenses have been shown to provide an exciting method of focusing light with flat optics with subwavelength feature sizes. Compared to other conventional diffractive lenses, metalenses have the added benefits of multiple degrees of freedom due to the expansive design space available for the structure of the meta-atoms, this allows for multiplexed and tunable optical responses that are extremely beneficial for practical applications of lenses. − Metalenses with desirable properties such as broadband achromaticity , and high numerical aperture (NA), have already been proven, along with integration with advanced photonic applications, such as the enhancement, control, and structuring of quantum emission, quantitative phase contrast imaging, and depth perception. , …”