Nonlocal flat optics

In electromagnetics and photonics, 'nonlocality' refers to the phenomenon by which the response/output of a material or system at a certain point in space depends on the input field across an extended region of space. Although nonlocal effects and the associated wavevector/momentum dependence have often been neglected or seen as a nuisance in the context of metasurfaces, the emerging field of nonlocal flat optics seeks to exploit strong effective nonlocality to enrich and enhance their response. Here we summarize the latest advances in this field, focusing on its fundamental principles and various applications, from optical computing to space compression. The convergence of local and nonlocal flat optics may open exciting opportunities in the quest to control light, in real and momentum space, using ultra-thin platforms.

Automated summary

'Nonlocality' in electromagnetics and photonics refers to the dependence of a material or system's response/output at a certain point in space on the input field across an extended region of space. Nonlocal flat optics aims to exploit strong effective nonlocality to enhance the response of metasurfaces. This article summarizes the latest advances in this field, highlighting its fundamental principles and various applications, from optical computing to space compression. The convergence of local and nonlocal flat optics may revolutionize the control of light using ultra-thin platforms in real and momentum space.