3D ultra-broadband optically dispersive microregions in lithium niobate

Bo Zhang (), Zhuo Wang, Tom Albrow-Owen, Tawfique Hasan, Zesheng Chen, Zhiying Song, Gongyuan Zhang, Hannah Joyce, Dezhi Tan (), Qiangbing Guo, Cheng-wei Qiu (), Zongyin Yang () and Jianrong Qiu ()
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Bo Zhang: Zhejiang University
Zhuo Wang: Zhejiang University
Tom Albrow-Owen: University of Cambridge
Tawfique Hasan: University of Cambridge
Zesheng Chen: University of Cambridge
Zhiying Song: University of Cambridge
Gongyuan Zhang: Zhejiang University
Hannah Joyce: University of Cambridge
Dezhi Tan: Zhejiang University
Qiangbing Guo: Zhejiang University
Cheng-wei Qiu: National University of Singapore
Zongyin Yang: Zhejiang University
Jianrong Qiu: Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract 3D in-substrate integration of optical functionalities fully utilizes the vertical dimension of space and is valuable for advancing next-generation integrated optoelectronics. However, as a key optical effect, optical dispersion remains unavailable to be tailored at the microscale in 3D. We introduce artificial dispersive microregions in lithium niobate crystals to engineer free-space ultra-broadband optical dispersion. The microregions are formed by ultrafast laser-induced sub-wavelength phase-transition nanostripes, which modulate the crystal’s birefringence to establish localized frequency-dependent interference of ordinary and extraordinary light. This approach operates across an ultra-broad wavelength range (>1300 nm) within an exceptionally compact volume (50 × 10 × 6 µm³), and allows for precise, on-demand dispersion control in 3D space. The dispersive microregions exhibit viewing-angle independence, stability to harsh conditions (600 °C high temperature, contamination, corrosion, and mechanical damage), and wide applicability across various birefringent crystals. We demonstrate the versatility of our method in developing broadband on-chip micro-spectrometers and applications of spectral imaging, information recording, and encryption.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61317-9

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