Broadband Linear-to-Circular Polarization Conversion Enabled by Birefringent Off-Resonance Reflective Metasurfaces

Chang, Chun-Chieh; Zhao, Zhexin; Li, Dongfang; Taylor, Antoinette J.; Fan, Shanhui; Chen, Hou-Tong

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.123.237401

Broadband Linear-to-Circular Polarization Conversion Enabled by Birefringent Off-Resonance Reflective Metasurfaces

Journal Article · Tue Dec 03 23:00:00 EST 2019 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.123.237401· OSTI ID:1739962

Chang, Chun-Chieh ^[1]; Zhao, Zhexin ^[2]; ^[1]; Taylor, Antoinette J. ^[3]; Fan, Shanhui ^[2]; ^[1]

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)
Stanford Univ., CA (United States). E.L. Ginzton Lab.
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Due to the scarcity of circular polarization light sources, linear-to-circular polarization conversion is required to generate circularly polarized light for a variety of applications. Despite significant past efforts, broadband linear-to-circular polarization conversion remains elusive particularly in the terahertz and midinfrared frequency ranges. Here we propose a novel mechanism based on coupled mode theory, and experimentally demonstrate at terahertz frequencies that highly efficient (power conversion efficiency approaching unity) and ultrabroadband (fractional bandwidth up to 80%) linear-to-circular polarization conversion can be accomplished by the judicious design of birefringent metasurfaces. The underlying mechanism operates in the frequency range between well separated resonances, and relies upon the phase response of these resonances away from the resonant frequencies, as well as the balance of the resonant and nonresonant channels. This mechanism is applicable for any operating frequencies from microwave to visible. The present Letter potentially opens a wide range of opportunities in wireless communications, spectroscopy, and emergent quantum materials research where circularly polarized light is desired.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001; FG02-07ER46426

OSTI ID:: 1739962

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--18-31108

Journal Information:: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 123; ISSN 0031-9007

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Broadband Linear-to-Circular Polarization Conversion Enabled by Birefringent Off-Resonance Reflective Metasurfaces

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