Surface Patterns for Optical Modulation

Abstract Surface patterns with micro- and nanoscale features have emerged as a transformative paradigm in optics due to their ability to extend beyond the functional limits of conventional optical elements through strong light–matter interactions. By engineering geometric parameters across multiple length scales, these architectures enable precise control over light-field amplitude, phase, polarization, and spectral content via mechanisms including diffraction, photonic bandgaps, plasmonic resonances, and phase discontinuities. These unique capabilities have recently driven their evolution from static optical components to dynamically tunable systems capable of reversible, continuous, and rapid in situ modulation. In particular, surface patterns have led to breakthroughs in active optical devices, such as tunable gratings, switchable structural color displays, and reconfigurable metasurfaces. They have also advanced cutting-edge applications in anticounterfeiting and encryption, antireflection, light diffusion, and sensing, featuring multistimuli responsiveness and multimodal optical encoding. With growing demand for adaptive optics, smart windows, and intelligent photonic systems, dynamically tunable surface patterns are poised to drive innovation in next-generation optoelectronics. In this review, we systematically summarize the fundamental physical mechanisms governing light manipulation by surface patterns and their fabrication methodologies. Particular attention is given to polymer-based responsive systems, while static architectures are covered as the essential physical foundation. We then highlight recent advances in dynamic modulation driven by optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and multiphysical stimuli and survey the latest progress across representative applications. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future directions aimed at advancing optical modulation technologies by leveraging the considerable potential of dynamically tunable patterned surfaces to provide compact, high-performance, and multifunctional solutions for a wide range of applications.