Chirality invertible superstructure mediated active planar optics

Peng Chen, Ling-Ling Ma, Wei Hu (), Zhi-Xiong Shen, Hari Krishna Bisoyi, Sai-Bo Wu, Shi-Jun Ge, Quan Li () and Yan-Qing Lu ()
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Peng Chen: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University
Ling-Ling Ma: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University
Wei Hu: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University
Zhi-Xiong Shen: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University
Hari Krishna Bisoyi: Kent State University
Sai-Bo Wu: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University
Shi-Jun Ge: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University
Quan Li: Kent State University
Yan-Qing Lu: College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Active planar optical devices that can dynamically manipulate light are highly sought after in modern optics and nanophotonics. The geometric phase derived from the photonic spin-orbit interaction provides an integrated strategy. Corresponding elements usually suffer from static functions. Here, we introduce an inhomogeneously self-organized anisotropic medium featured by photo-invertible chiral superstructure to realize geometric phase elements with continuously tunable working spectrum and light-flipped phase profile. Via preprograming the alignment of a cholesteric liquid crystal mixed with a photo-responsive chiral dopant, we demonstrate light-activated deflector, lens, Airy beam and optical vortex generators. Their polychromatic working bands are reversibly tuned in an ultra-broadband over 1000 nm covering green to telecomm region. The chirality inversion triggers facile switching of functionalities, such as beam steering, focusing/defocusing and spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion. This work offers a platform for advanced adaptive and multifunctional flat optics with merits of high compactness, low loss and broad bandwidth.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10538-w

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