Classification of Bianisotropic Metasurfaces from Reflectance and Transmittance Measurements

Using fundamental electromagnetic properties of metasurfaces, we build a platform to classify reciprocal bianisotropic metasurfaces from typical experimental measurements and determine isotropic, anisotropic, bi-isotropic (chiral), and bianisotropic (so-called omega) properties. We provide experimental guidelines to identify each class by measuring macroscopic scattering parameters, that is, reflection and transmission coefficients upon plane wave illumination with linear and/or circular polarization. We explicitly provide a recipe of which metasurface properties can and cannot be inferred by means of the chosen polarization, reflection, and transmission properties. We also clarify common confusions in the classification of anisotropic versus chiral metasurfaces based on circular dichroism measurements presented in the recent literature.

Automated summary

By utilizing the fundamental electromagnetic properties of metasurfaces, we have developed a platform for classifying reciprocal bianisotropic metasurfaces and determining their isotropic, anisotropic, bi-isotropic, and bianisotropic properties. We have provided experimental guidelines for identifying each class using macroscopic scattering parameters, such as reflection and transmission coefficients, under plane wave illumination with linear and/or circular polarization. We have also clarified common confusions in the classification of anisotropic and chiral metasurfaces based on circular dichroism measurements.