Monolithic Integrated Optical Telescope Based on Cascaded Metasurfaces

Abstract

Metasurfaces composed of ultrathin subwavelength meta-atoms have attracted intensive attention due to their exceptional abilities to freely manipulate light waves, resulting in numerous new concepts and applications in modern optics. However, the existing metasurfaces are typically designed as single components as part of traditional optical systems, limiting their superiorities of miniaturization and integration. Here, a new design framework for monolithic integrated optical systems is proposed based on cascaded metasurfaces. We experimentally demonstrate an optical telescope system integrating two metasurfaces on a monolithic chip. The telescope prototype has an ultrathin planar structure with 1 mm thickness, and the focal lengths of the two metasurfaces are 800 and 200 μm, respectively. The optical performance specifications of the telescope are characterized, achieving superior resolving power and predesigned magnification functionality. This metasurface-based monolithic integrated optical system brings new possibilities to further improve the miniaturization and integration of optical systems in future.

Synergy between AI and Optical Metasurfaces: A Critical Overview of Recent Advances

“…Some examples of practical applications of metasurfaces proposed so far include advanced cameras [66], microscopes [67], telescopes [68] and other imaging systems, including those with super-resolution [69] (exceeding Abbe diffraction limit); contact lenses [70], virtual reality [71] and augmented reality [72] headsets and other kinds of eyewear; antireflective structures [73]; superabsorbers [74]; light concentrators [75] (achieving exceptionally large photonic densities of states that some authors call "anomalous" [76]); highly reflective metasurfaces [77]; nonreciprocal (one-way) transmission structures [78]; different metasurface-based displays (like novel OLED, LED or simple LED) [79]; different kinds of metasurface-based nanoplasmonic sensors [80] and detectors [81]; LIDAR [82]; optical data storage [83]; solar energy harvesting structures and devices [84]; light sources like laser [85] and LED [86]; micro-and nanophotolithographic systems [87] (proximity-field nanopatterning); spectroscopy [88,89]; high-power lasers for material machining [90]; lasers for medical applications [91] (including theranostics and surgery); meta-holograms [92]; holographic 3D displays [93]; fiber-optical communication systems (different optical components like optical waveguides [94], beam shapers [95] and steerers [96], multiplexers and demultiplexers [97], integrated nanophotonic components for on-chip communication [98]); and many more.…”

Multispectral Holographic Intensity and Phase Imaging of Semitransparent Ultrathin Films

“…Despite being only a few nanometers thick, the films can exhibit strong interactions with light, leading to a wide range of optical and optoelectronic applications. These include optical coatings, color filters, − infrared absorbers, transparent conductors − for displays or solar cells, meta-materials, − meta-surfaces, , and plasmonics, − to name a few. An ongoing trend in photonics is the transition from thin to ultrathin films and atomically thin materials .…”