Rapid Polarization-Controlled Depth Sensing and Imaging with an Electrically Tunable Metalens

We demonstrate an electrically tunable metalens that combines hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) meta-atoms with a liquid crystal (LC) layer for rapid polarization-controlled depth sensing and imaging. Two independent focusing profiles for left-circularly polarized (LCP) light and right-circularly polarized (RCP) light are encoded via propagation and geometric phases in a single metasurface. Adjusting the LC voltage and the incident polarization among the LCP, RCP, and their superposition enables millisecond-scale reconfiguration. Under pure circular polarization, the metalens yields a single high-fidelity focal spot or an image. Linearly polarized light produces two rotating images, whose relative orientation encodes object depth. Experiments match theory and confirm a full π rotation of the image during focal scanning. The device offers a compact, real-time platform for imaging and depth sensing in microscopy, holography, and adaptive optics.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nano Letters
Published
2025-06-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c01831
Citations
12
Primary Topic
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.13

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article

Rapid Polarization-Controlled Depth Sensing and Imaging with an Electrically Tunable Metalens

Wei-Hong Yeo, J.‐L. Lee, Junsuk Rho, Trevon Badloe et al.
12 citations
Nano Letters
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
5.13
article

Rapid Polarization-Controlled Depth Sensing and Imaging with an Electrically Tunable Metalens

Wei-Hong Yeo, J.‐L. Lee, Junsuk Rho, Trevon Badloe, Cheng Sun, Hao F. Zhang, Young‐Ki Kim, Xiaotong Li, Yeseul Kim, Wonsik Kim
article en
12 citations

Abstract

We demonstrate an electrically tunable metalens that combines hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) meta-atoms with a liquid crystal (LC) layer for rapid polarization-controlled depth sensing and imaging. Two independent focusing profiles for left-circularly polarized (LCP) light and right-circularly polarized (RCP) light are encoded via propagation and geometric phases in a single metasurface. Adjusting the LC voltage and the incident polarization among the LCP, RCP, and their superposition enables millisecond-scale reconfiguration. Under pure circular polarization, the metalens yields a single high-fidelity focal spot or an image. Linearly polarized light produces two rotating images, whose relative orientation encodes object depth. Experiments match theory and confirm a full π rotation of the image during focal scanning. The device offers a compact, real-time platform for imaging and depth sensing in microscopy, holography, and adaptive optics.

Nano LettersVol. 25(23)
Northwestern University (US), Pohang University of Science and Technology (KR), Pohang Iron and Steel (South Korea) (KR), Sejong University (KR), Nanomaterials Research (United States) (US), Convergence (US)
Northwestern University, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, Samsung
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
5.13
DOISourceOpenAlex
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