Tunable metasurfaces for dynamical control of the properties of radiation (Conference Presentation)

Abstract

Research in nanophotonic materials and design is yielding advances that are opening conceptually new paths to address “grand challenges” that have not previously been achievable. One of these is the realization of comprehensively tunable nanoantenna arrays, which can enable dynamic, active control of all of the key constitutive properties of light – amplitude, phase, wavevector and polarization – opening new applications such as phased-array optical beam steering, visible light modulation for communication and thermal radiation management. Electronic tuning of the complex dielectric function of nanostructured materials is enabling i) scientific exploration of new two-dimensional and layered materials such as graphene and black phosphorus and transition metal dichalcogenide and also ii) plasmonic and nanophotonic device applications for dynamic wavefront control, including electronic phase and amplitude modulators for the near infrared (conducting oxides) and mid infrared (graphene). I will discuss advances in the realization of dynamically tunable metasurfaces in the near-infrared and mid-infrared with tunable spontaneous emission rate, tunable emissivity, > π phase modulation, tunable control of polarization, and ‘perfect’ absorption approaching 100% in submonolayer thickness structures.