Optical Metasurface Generated Vector Beam for Anticounterfeiting

Abstract

Quick-response (QR) codes are widely used in modern society, and new approaches to generate them are desirable, to keep pace with the ongoing miniaturization of devices and the daunting increase in the volume of information. This study uses a metasurface approach to hide a QR code in the polarization profile of a light beam, which can then be revealed by a linear polarizer. This technique is promising for anticounterfeiting and encryption efforts, with potential applications in product identification, item tracking, and document management.