An Electrochemically Programmable Metasurface with Independently Controlled Metasurface Pixels at Optical Frequencies.

Abstract

Metasurfaces have revolutionized optical technologies by offering powerful, compact, and versatile solutions to control light. Conducting polymers, characterized by their conjugated molecular structures, facilitate charge transport and exhibit interesting electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. Integrating conducting polymers with optical metasurfaces can unlock new opportunities and functionalities in modern optics. In this work, we demonstrate an electrochemically programmable metasurface with independently controlled metasurface pixels at optical frequencies. Electrochemical modulation of locally conjugated polyaniline on gold nanorods, which are arranged on addressable electrodes according to the Pancharatnam-Berry phase design, enables dynamic control over the metasurface pixels into programmable configurations. With the same metasurface device, we showcase diverse optical functions, including dynamic beam diffraction and varifocal lensing along and off the optical axis. The synergy between flat optics and conducting polymer science holds immense potential to enhance the performance and function versatility of metasurfaces, paving the way for innovative optical applications.