Metalens for Generating a Customized Vectorial Focal Curve

Three-dimensional (3D) light fields with spatially inhomogeneous polarization and intensity distributions play an increasingly important role in photonics due to their peculiar optical features and extra degrees of freedom for carrying information. However, it is very challenging to simultaneously control the intensity profile and polarization profile in an arbitrary manner. Here we experimentally demonstrate a metalens that can focus light into an arbitrarily shaped focal curve with a predefined polarization distribution. The efficacy of this approach is exemplified through the demonstration of focused curves in 3D space ranging from simple shapes such as a circle to topologically nontrivial objects such as a 3D knot with controlled local polarization states. This powerful control of the light field would be technically challenging with their conventional counterparts. Our demonstration may find applications in beam engineering and integration optics.

Automated summary

The experimental demonstration of a metalens focusing light into an arbitrarily shaped focal curve with a predefined polarization distribution opens up new possibilities for controlling the light field in 3D space. This approach allows for powerful control over the light field, which is technically challenging with conventional methods and may find applications in beam engineering and integration optics.