Physics

Microstrip

Birefringence

Laser

Optics

Computer graphics (images)

Polarization rotator

Dielectric

Wavefront

Physical chemistry

Circular polarization

Holography

Stokes parameters

Amplitude

Chemistry

Scattering

Polarization (electrochemistry)

Rendering (computer graphics)

Computer science

Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging

Optoelectronics

Physical Review Letters

Exquisite polarization control using optical metasurfaces has attracted considerable attention thanks to their ability to manipulate multichannel independent wavefronts with subwavelength resolution. Here we present a new class of metasurface polarization optics, which enables imposition of two arbitrary and independent amplitude profiles on any pair of orthogonal states of polarization. The implementation method involves a polarization-dependent interference mechanism achieved by constructing a metasurface composed of an array of nanoscale birefringent waveplates. Based on this principle, we experimentally demonstrate chiral grayscale metasurface and chiral shadow rendering of structured light. These results illustrate a general approach interlinking amplitude profiles and orthogonal states of polarization and expands the scope of metasurface polarization shaping optics.

Independent Amplitude Control of Arbitrary Orthogonal States of Polarization via Dielectric Metasurfaces