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Metasurfaces designed by a bidirectional deep neural network and iterative algorithm for generating quantitative field distributions

A team of scientists developed a new approach to designing metasurfaces with high-accuracy functionalities using a tandem neural network and iterative algorithm. The design enables the creation of ultracompact devices with quantitative capabilities in imaging, detecting, and sensing applications.

A knowledge-inherited learning for intelligent metasurface design and assembly

A new paradigm in metasurface design and assembly is proposed, utilizing a knowledge-inherited neural network to inherit physical connections and network correlations among various metamaterials. The method achieves accurate designs for diverse applications, including satellite communication.

Ultrafast beam-steering breakthrough at Sandia Labs

A team of researchers has demonstrated the ability to dynamically steer incoherent light pulses using a semiconductor device, paving the way for applications such as holograms, remote sensing, and self-driving cars. The technique uses metasurfaces to manipulate light waves, offering a low-power alternative to traditional laser beams.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

CityU scientists develop energy-saving, tunable meta-devices for high-precision, secure 6G communications

A research team at City University of Hong Kong invented a tunable terahertz meta-device that can control the radiation direction and coverage area of THz beams. The device allows for signal delivery to specific users or detectors and has flexibility to adjust the propagating direction, as needed.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Researchers test smart surfaces to improve wireless communication and localization

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed transmission schemes that incorporate reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to serve as reflectors within existing wireless networks. These surfaces can bounce signals to cell phones, improving accuracy and reliability in location services and data speeds.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalIEEE Communications Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 2, 2023

Flash tunning via programmable solid-state metasurfaces: a new platform for modern displays

Scientists have engineered electrically tuneable arrays of nanoparticles called 'metasurfaces' that can offer significant benefits over current liquid crystal displays. The metasurface cells replace the liquid crystal layer, reducing energy consumption by 50% and offering a tenfold greater resolution.

Researchers at Purdue University uncover a new method for generating spinning thermal radiation

Researchers at Purdue University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of thermal radiation, uncovering a new method for generating spinning thermal radiation in a controlled and efficient manner. The team's findings, published in Science Advances, demonstrate the ability to generate predominantly left-handed circularly pol...

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 3, 2023

Active terahertz beam steering based on mechanical deformation of liquid crystal elastomer metasurface

Researchers have developed a novel terahertz beam steering system utilizing a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) metasurface that can actively deflect the direction of the incident wave. The LCE metasurface demonstrates outstanding beam steering performance, with an output angle range of 70° to 25° for frequencies between 0.48 and 1.1 THz.

A novel, space-time coding antenna developed at CityU promotes 6G and secure wireless communications

A new space-time coding antenna developed at City University of Hong Kong enables manipulation of beam direction, frequency, and amplitude for improved user flexibility in 6G wireless communications. The antenna relies on software control and combines research advances in leaky-wave antennas and space-time coding techniques.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Liquid crystal metasurface could enable multi-dimensional light field sensing

A team of scientists developed a near-infrared spectropolarimeter based on an electrically-tunable liquid crystal metasurface. The system simultaneously measures polarization and spectral information using a tunable metasurface with high-quality-factor guided-mode resonances combined with a computational reconstruction algorithm.

Optical magic: New flat glass enables optimal visual quality for augmented reality goggles

Researchers at Columbia University have invented a flat lens that exclusively focuses light of a selected color, appearing transparent until illuminated with the correct wavelength. The device overcomes challenges in conventional AR glasses, enabling unattenuated and undistorted vision of both real-world scenes and contextual information.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateSep 28, 2022

Frequency-modulated continuous waves controlled by space-time-coding metasurface with nonlinearly periodic phases

Researchers develop a novel method to generate FMCWs and control their spatial propagation behaviors simultaneously using a reflection-type STCM. The proposed method reduces system complexity and cost compared to traditional FMCW signal generation methods.

Through the quantum looking glass

Scientists have developed a thin device that can produce complex webs of entangled photons, enabling new information processing schemes and advanced encryption methods. The device uses a metasurface to control the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, paving the way for more compact and powerful computing and sensing technologies.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2022

Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Upside-down design expands wide-spectrum super-camera abilities

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new design for plasmonic metasurfaces that greatly expands their frequency range while also making them more robust against the elements. The new fabrication process allows for the use of a wide variety of shapes, opening up new possibilities for applications such as super cameras.

SourceDuke University·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022

Tiny lab on a chip

Researchers at Osaka University have created a microfluidic system that can detect minute changes in the concentration of trace amounts of ethanol, glucose, or minerals in water using terahertz radiation. The device achieved sensitivity levels an order of magnitude better than existing microfluidic chips.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Physics Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

A novel all-optical switching method makes optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient

A novel all-optical switching method has been developed to make optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient. The method utilizes the quantum optical phenomenon of Enhancement of Index of Refraction (EIR) to achieve ultrafast switching times, ultralow threshold control power, and high switching efficiency.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022

A metasurface-based light-to-microwave transmitter for hybrid wireless communications

Researchers have created a light-to-microwave transmitter using an optically programmed time-varying metasurface, enabling direct conversion of light signals to microwave signals. The system can transmit two different videos simultaneously over a single platform, paving the way for low-cost and low-complexity hybrid communication systems.

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Mechanical control of a reconfigurable intelligent surface

A mechanical RIS has been developed with high reconfiguration degree of freedom, low power consumption, and real-time dynamic control capabilities. It uses a robust control method to determine the rotation angle of each meta-atom and offers a new energy-saving and environmentally friendly alternative for wireless communications systems.

Cylindrical vector beam multiplexer/demultiplexer using off-axis polarization control

Researchers have proposed a new method for controlling the polarization of cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) using a metal-dielectric-metal metasurface. This enables independent modulation of the left- and right-handed circularly polarized components, allowing for efficient multiplexing and demultiplexing of CVBs.

Broadband spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitters with tunable chirality

Researchers developed a novel spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitter that generates broadband, circularly polarized, and coherent terahertz waves. The design offers flexible manipulation of the polarization state and helicity with magnetic fields, enabling efficient generation and control of chiral terahertz waves.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021