Single-shot deterministic complex amplitude imaging with a single-layer metalens

Abstract

Conventional imaging systems can only capture light intensity. Meanwhile, the lost phase information may be critical for a variety of applications such as label-free microscopy and optical metrology. Existing phase retrieval techniques typically require a bulky setup, multiframe measurements, or prior information of the target scene. Here, we proposed an extremely compact system for complex amplitude imaging, leveraging the extreme versatility of a single-layer metalens to generate spatially multiplexed and polarization phase–shifted point spread functions. Combining the metalens with a polarization camera, the system can simultaneously record four polarization shearing interference patterns along both in-plane directions, thus allowing the deterministic reconstruction of the complex amplitude light field in a single shot. Using an incoherent light-emitting diode as the illumination, we experimentally demonstrated speckle-noise–free complex amplitude imaging for both static and moving objects with tailored magnification ratio and field of view. The miniaturized and robust system may open the door for complex amplitude imaging in portable devices for point-of-care applications.

Full Stokes Mid-Wavelength Infrared Polarization Photodetector Based on the Chiral Dielectric Metasurface

“…In 2022, Liu [31] placed the geometrically phased metasurfaces in the Fourier optical spin splitting microscope (FOSSM) system, which can form two images with different displacements on the imaging plane for the LCP and RCP. In 2024, Yang [32] proposed and experimentally demonstrated an extremely compact imaging system using the metalens with spatially and polarization-multiplexed point spread functions (PSFs) to record LCP and RCP optical interference patterns using the commercially available polarization camera. However, only a few research results on polarization photodetectors that have already integrated the CDWP have been reported in the past ten years, which severely limits the rapid development of miniaturized polarization-integrated detectors.…”

Varifocal Metalens for Compact and Accurate Quantitative Phase Imaging

“…As a highly integrated planar optical device, there is extensive research on its applications in holographic displays, − optical computing, − biosensing, − and optical imaging fields. − Inspired by differential interference contrast (DIC), the Faraon group utilized two metasurface layers to achieve quantitative phase gradient imaging in one direction. Recent work by the Yang group used a polarization camera to optimize integration, resulting in highly integrated single-shot quantitative phase gradient imaging. However, this work necessitates imaging in two shear directions simultaneously, which entails a compromise in spatial resolution.…”

Simultaneous Circular Dichroism and Wavefront Manipulation with Generalized Pancharatnam–Berry Phase Metasurfaces

“…Metasurfaces are the two-dimensional equivalent of metamaterials, possessing the remarkable ability to flexibly manipulate the amplitude, phase, and polarization of electromagnetic waves by periodically arranging subwavelength structures, which opens a new era of digital optics. − Many exotic phenomena and applications have been observed with metasurfaces, such as the compact spectrometer, , optical computing, , optical biosensing, , quantum entanglement, , asymmetric photonic spin–orbit interactions, − achromatic and ultrawide-angle lenses, − and simultaneous circular dichroism and wavefront manipulation. − Various structures, such as the quasi-split-ring resonator, helical surface arrays, and chiral stepped nanoaperture, have been proposed. However, these methods increase the complexity of design and fabrication due to the requirement of structures to break the n -fold ( n > 2) rotational and mirror symmetries or vertical symmetry.…”