Single-sized-driven quad-channel metasurface for dynamic image display

Metasurfaces, with an outstanding capacity to manipulate optical properties, have opened up a new avenue for realizing ultra-compact image displays, as exemplified by near-field nanoprinting images and far-field holographic images. Integrating these two functionalities into a single metasurface can significantly enhance functionality and increase information capacity. However, current studies have faced limitations in simultaneously achieving multifunctionality, dynamic tunability, and effective linear and circular polarization channel decoupling with a simple structure, often resulting in severely constrained information capacity and functional application. In this paper, we propose a quad-channel metasurface for dynamic image display based on a single-size nanostructure, using the polarization decoupling properties of exceptional points (EPs), the degeneracy of Malus' law, and the phase-transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide (VO₂). In VO₂'s insulating phase, Malus' law degeneracy decouples non-orthogonal linear polarization channels, enabling dual-channel near-field nanoprinting. Upon transitioning to VO₂'s metallic phase, polarization decoupling at EPs separates orthogonal circular polarization channels, enabling dual-channel far-field holography. As proof-of-concept, we simulated a single-sized nanostructure metasurface achieving simultaneous dual-channel near-field nanoprinting and far-field holographic display. This approach offers what we believe to be a novel paradigm for developing multifunctional metasurfaces, holding great promise for applications in information encryption and multichannel dynamic displays.