Arbitrary and Independent Polarization Control In Situ via a Single Metasurface

© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, WeinheimA single metasurface is demonstrated with powerful manipulating capability to arbitrarily and independently tune the phase profiles of orthogonal polarization states using subwavelength tunable cross-shaped element (TCE) arrays. Here, the arbitrary control of the phase profiles must be distinguished from the semiarbitrary phase control using multiple predesigned metasurfaces with one-to-one functionality. The decoupled tuning of phase profiles for orthogonal polarization states bestows the metasurface with additional degree of freedom to manipulate the electromagnetic wave for multifunctionality. As a proof of concept, a tunable polarization beam splitter, a dynamic beam steering component, and a quarter waveplate are demonstrated using one single metasurface. This metasurface has promising applications on versatile and function-switchable photonic components, such as polarization optical devices, compact functional devices, communication systems, and wave controlling devices, to name just a few.