From Lingering to Rift: Metasurface Decoupling for Near- and Far-Field Functionalization

Metasurfaces, simultaneously operating in near- and far-fields, can be employed as a promising candidate to implement different functions, thus significantly improving the information density, security, and system integration. Recent works have showcased some approaches for decoupling-at-large between near- and far-field functionalities, but unfortunately, their coupling effects are just reduced and mitigated to some extent rather than eradicated, which in turn leads to the performance limitation of metadevices. Herein, we propose a general platform for the complete rift between near- and far-field functionalities, enabled by strictly decoupled manipulation of optical amplitude and phase, leading to their distinct functions in the near- and far-fields, respectively. This concept is experimentally demonstrated by integrating the functions of a phase-only metalens and an amplitude-only grayscale-imaging nanoprint into a single-cell metasurface. Because of their completely decoupled functions, both meta-elements show high-performance characteristics, i.e., imaging quality close to the diffraction limit and high-definition grayscale-imaging with resolution as high as 63 500 dots per inch (dpi). The validated recipe may empower advanced explorations and applications in highly integrated nano-optoelectronics requiring high performance and less crosstalk.

Automated summary

Metasurfaces operating in near- and far-fields simultaneously offer promising improvements in information density, security, and system integration. Decoupling optical amplitude and phase enables distinct functions in the near- and far-fields, leading to high-performance characteristics in metadevices. This approach may advance integrated nano-optoelectronics with high performance and minimal crosstalk.