Decoupling optical function and geometrical form using conformal flexible dielectric metasurfaces

TLDR

Physical geometry and optical properties of objects are correlated, so decoupling them is needed for applications where shape is constrained by ergonomics, aerodynamics, or aesthetics. The study demonstrates a method to decouple optical properties from physical shape using thin, flexible dielectric metasurfaces that conform to surfaces. The metasurfaces consist of silicon nano‑posts embedded in a polymer substrate that locally alter near‑infrared wavefronts. Proof of concept shows that cylindrical lenses coated with the metasurfaces can be transformed into aspherical lenses focusing light to a point, demonstrating the versatility of the approach for arbitrarily shaped multifunctional optical devices.

Abstract

Abstract Physical geometry and optical properties of objects are correlated: cylinders focus light to a line, spheres to a point and arbitrarily shaped objects introduce optical aberrations. Multi-functional components with decoupled geometrical form and optical function are needed when specific optical functionalities must be provided while the shapes are dictated by other considerations like ergonomics, aerodynamics or aesthetics. Here we demonstrate an approach for decoupling optical properties of objects from their physical shape using thin and flexible dielectric metasurfaces which conform to objects’ surface and change their optical properties. The conformal metasurfaces are composed of silicon nano-posts embedded in a polymer substrate that locally modify near-infrared ( λ =915 nm) optical wavefronts. As proof of concept, we show that cylindrical lenses covered with metasurfaces can be transformed to function as aspherical lenses focusing light to a point. The conformal metasurface concept is highly versatile for developing arbitrarily shaped multi-functional optical devices.