A Review on Reconfigurable Metalenses Revolutionizing Flat Optics

Abstract

Metalenses (MLs), representing a groundbreaking paradigm shift within the realm of optics, have ushered in a transformative era in the ability to manipulate and harness the power of light. Diverging from the conventional approach reliant on curved surfaces to bend light, MLs harness intricate arrays of minuscule nanostructures to exert precise control over the phase and amplitude of incident light waves. This revolutionary technology bestows a plethora of advantages, including the creation of ultra‐compact optical systems, the enhancement of focusing capabilities to unprecedented levels, and the capability to rectify optical aberrations in a significantly thinner and more lightweight form factor. MLs have discovered a multitude of applications spanning diverse fields, from imaging and photography to augmenting reality and refining medical devices. They stand as a beacon of hope for reshaping the landscape of optical systems, courtesy of their remarkable adaptability and exceptional performance. As the evolution of MLs forges ahead, they hold immense potential to transcend the boundaries of what can be accomplished in the domain of light‐based technologies. This review presents the recent advances in reconfigurable MLs and their applicability to imaging systems.

Analysis of the Polarization Distribution and Spin Angular Momentum of the Interference Field Obtained by Co-Planar Beams with Linear and Circular Polarization

“…Currently, light fields with a nonuniform polarization state are increasingly used to solve problems of optical microscopy, laser processing of materials, laser manipulation, holography, and optical communications [1][2][3][4]. To form such structured light fields, it is necessary to use subwavelength gratings that are quite complex to manufacture [5], metasurfaces [6] and metalenses [7], or approaches based on the mode addition of two orthogonally polarized light fields [8]. The last of the mentioned approaches is implemented both with the help of dynamic spatial light modulators (SLMs) [9] and with the help of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) [10].…”

A perspective on the artificial intelligence’s transformative role in advancing diffractive optics

“…SLMs and DMDs provide dynamic control over the phase and amplitude of light waves, thereby enabling adaptive beamforming and holographic imaging. 12 , 13 The use of AI tools with tunable diffractive devices 14 seems particularly promising in the field of adaptive optics 15 and aberration corrections. 16 DOEs offer efficient beam shaping, steering, and focusing capabilities in compact and lightweight formats.…”