Spin-independent metalens for helicity–multiplexing of converged vortices and cylindrical vector beams

Abstract

The converged vortex beam with a well-defined focal plane is an essential ingredient for trapping and rotating microparticles. Metasurfaces, two-dimensional metamaterials, provide an ultra-compact and flexible platform for designing a converged vortex by integrating the functions of a lens and vortex plate. A spin-defocused metasurface can further boost information capacity such as the multiplexing of helicity-dependent functionalities. Here we propose an approach to realize spin-defocused metalenses that can simultaneously focus terahertz (THz) waves with orthogonal spin states into helicity-dependent vortices based on pure geometric phases. Under the illumination of linearly polarized terahertz waves, all of the helicity-dependent vortices are observed, leading to helicity-multiplexing of converged vortices. Furthermore, the longitudinal multiplexing of converged cylindrical vector beams is demonstrated by superposition of helicity-dependent vortices. This unique approach for multiplexing converged vortices and cylindrical vector beams may open a window for designing future ultra-compact and multifunctional devices with potential applications in communications, optical trapping, and focusing.