High-order multipoles in all-dielectric metagrating enabling ultralarge-angle light bending with unity efficiency

Abstract

Abstract Gradient metasurfaces have been extensively applied in the unprecedented control of light beams over thin optical components. However, these metasurfaces suffer from low efficiency when bending light through large angles and high fabrication demand when it requires fine discretion. In this work, we investigate all-dielectric metagratings based on the generalized Kerker effect induced by interference between Mie-type resonances. It allows extraordinary optical diffraction for beam steering through ultralarge angles. The coupling inside and between the lattices in the metagrating can be used to tune the excited states of the electric and magnetic resonances, including both the fundamental dipoles and high-order multipoles, leading to an ideal asymmetrical scattering pattern that redistributes the energy between the diffraction channels as required. The quadrupole and hexadecapole not only significantly enhance the working efficiency but also enable distinctive possibilities for wave manipulation that cannot be reached by dipoles. Utilizing a thin array of silicon rods, large-angle negative refraction and reflection are realized with almost unity efficiency under both transverse magnetic and transverse electric polarization. Compared with conventional metasurfaces, such an all-dielectric metagrating has the merits of high flexibility, high efficiency, and low fabrication requirements. The coupling and interactions among the multipoles may serve as a foundation for various forms of on-chip optical wave control.