Local-nonlocal assisted multifunctional photonic crystals

Abstract Metasurfaces excel at local, spatially varying control of wavefronts, whereas photonic crystals (PhCs) are admired for their nonlocal resonances such as bound states in the continuum (BICs). These two regimes—local control and nonlocal collective response—have long been viewed as difficult to integrate within a single platform. Here, we introduce local-nonlocal assisted multifunctional PhCs unifying wavefront shaping and BICs by embedding meta-notches within PhC pillars. The locally tunable notches generate spectral-zero-assisted topological phase for efficient 2π coverage, while the strongly confined BIC modes remain largely unperturbed, preserving high- Q nonlocal resonances. This constructive local-nonlocal integration synthesizes the design freedom of metasurfaces with the dispersive resonance of PhCs in a single planar device. Our approach extends the capabilities of flat optics, enabling multifunctional PhCs and opening pathways toward higher-order topologies, advanced imaging, communication, and analogue optical computing.

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Publication Details

Journal
Light Science & Applications
Published
2026-05-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-026-02308-3
Primary Topic
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Local-nonlocal assisted multifunctional photonic crystals

Light Science & Applications
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
article

Local-nonlocal assisted multifunctional photonic crystals

article en

Abstract

Abstract Metasurfaces excel at local, spatially varying control of wavefronts, whereas photonic crystals (PhCs) are admired for their nonlocal resonances such as bound states in the continuum (BICs). These two regimes—local control and nonlocal collective response—have long been viewed as difficult to integrate within a single platform. Here, we introduce local-nonlocal assisted multifunctional PhCs unifying wavefront shaping and BICs by embedding meta-notches within PhC pillars. The locally tunable notches generate spectral-zero-assisted topological phase for efficient 2π coverage, while the strongly confined BIC modes remain largely unperturbed, preserving high- Q nonlocal resonances. This constructive local-nonlocal integration synthesizes the design freedom of metasurfaces with the dispersive resonance of PhCs in a single planar device. Our approach extends the capabilities of flat optics, enabling multifunctional PhCs and opening pathways toward higher-order topologies, advanced imaging, communication, and analogue optical computing.

Light Science & ApplicationsVol. 15(1)
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (SG), National University of Singapore (SG), Tsinghua–Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (CN), Tsinghua University (CN)
National Science Foundation, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
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