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Smuggling light through opaque materials

Electrical engineers at Duke University have discovered a way to extend the use of chalcogenide glasses into the visible and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. By nanostructuring these materials, they can create high-order harmonic frequencies that enable transmission of light at previously inaccessible wavelengths.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2021

New metamaterial with unusual reflective property could boost your Wi-Fi signal

Researchers at University of Toronto have developed a new metamaterial that can channel light to enable more wireless data transmission over a single frequency, potentially doubling the capacity of existing networks. The 'full-duplex' intelligent metasurface has the potential to revolutionize wireless communication.

Quantum photonics based on metasurfaces

Researchers discuss the recent development of quantum optics based on micro/nano structures, including metasurfaces, which offers rich light field control function to discover new quantum physics. Metasurfaces has great potential in quantum optics, enabling the exploration of quantum technologies with strong stability and high efficiency.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateSep 30, 2021

Using micro-sized cut metal wires, Japanese team forges path to new uses for terahertz waves

Researchers successfully tested a reflectionless, highly refractive index metasurface made of micro-sized cut metal wires for use in terahertz waveband applications. The metasurface has a high refractive index and low reflection at 3.0 THz, enabling potential uses in 6G wireless communications and other commercial applications.

A new way to make AR/VR glasses

University of Rochester researchers developed a novel technology using freeform optics and metasurfaces to deliver high-quality images with socially acceptable optics. The metaform component gathers visible light rays from all directions and redirects them directly into the human eye, achieving a significant improvement in image quality.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2021

Single metasurface for simultaneous detection of SAM and OAM

A team of scientists has developed a single spin-decoupled metasurface that can distinguish between spatial angular moment (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. The device exploits the geometric phase and dynamic phase to transform vortex beams into focusing patterns, enabling simultaneous detection of SAM and OAM.

Efficient generations of complex vectorial optical fields with metasurfaces

Scientists develop a generic approach to generate arbitrary vectorial optical fields (VOFs) using metasurfaces, offering improved efficiency and control over polarization. They experimentally demonstrate the generation of VOFs in both far-field and near-field regimes with tailored wave fronts and inhomogeneous polarization distributions.

Arbitrary polarization conversion dichroism metasurfaces for full Poincaré sphere polarizers

Scientists have proposed an effective approach to achieve full Poincaré sphere polarizers in one step using monolayer metasurfaces with arbitrary polarization conversion dichroism. The system can generate an arbitrarily polarized beam at any position on the Poincaré sphere, making it a monolithic arbitrary polarization generator.

Super surfaces

The development of programmable metasurfaces at Princeton University has the potential to significantly increase data transmission rates in wireless systems. The technology uses terahertz waves to focus transmissions in specific directions, overcoming challenges such as obstacles and distance limitations. This breakthrough could enable...

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Electronics·DateJan 4, 2021

High-tech contact lenses correct color blindness

Scientists have created ultra-thin optical devices known as metasurfaces integrated into off-the-shelf contact lenses to correct deuteranomaly, a form of red-green color blindness. The new customizable contact lens can restore lost color contrast and improve color perception up to a factor of 10.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 4, 2020

Setting up fundamental bases for information metasurface

A general information theory of metasurface has been proposed to analyze the relation between the information of metasurface and its far-field radiation pattern. The scientists found an upper bound of information contained in the radiation pattern of a metasurface, revealing theoretical upper limit of orthogonal radiation states.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 6, 2020

Compute at the speed of light

A research team at the University of Delaware has designed an integrated photonics platform with a one-dimensional metalens and metasurfaces, limiting information loss and enabling high signal transmission. The device demonstrates functionalities of Fourier transformation and differentiation, critical techniques in physical sciences.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2019

Ultra-thin optical elements directly measure polarization

Scientists have developed a new method to measure polarization using ultra-thin metasurface holograms. The technique uses overlapping holographic images to determine the amplitude contrast and phase difference between polarized light waves, enabling fast and compact devices for spectroscopy, sensing, and communications applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateSep 12, 2019

What do we see in a mirror?

Aalto University scientists develop gradient metasurfaces that can appear 'bright' at one direction and 'dark' for the opposite direction, breaking conventional symmetric responses of mirrors. This innovation uses evanescent fields engineering to engineer contrast ratios in angle spectrum.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 21, 2018