Tunable metasurfaces towards versatile metalenses and metaholograms: a review

Metasurfaces have attracted great attention due to their ability to manipulate the phase, amplitude, and polarization of light in a compact form. Tunable metasurfaces have been investigated recently through the integration with mechanically moving components and electrically tunable elements. Two interesting applications, in particular, are to vary the focal point of metalenses and to switch between holographic images. We present the recent progress on tunable metasurfaces focused on metalenses and metaholograms, including the basic working principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each working mechanism. We classify the tunable stimuli based on the light source and electrical bias, as well as others such as thermal and mechanical modulation. We conclude by summarizing the recent progress of metalenses and metaholograms, and providing our perspectives for the further development of tunable metasurfaces.

Automated summary

Tunable metasurfaces have the ability to manipulate the phase, amplitude, and polarization of light in a compact form. Recent progress has been made in metalenses and metaholograms, and the advantages and disadvantages of different working mechanisms are discussed.