Broadband devices for a polarization converter based on optical metasurfaces

Abstract

Devices employed for optical polarization conversion are widely used in the areas of optical focusing, optical imaging, and microscopy. To circumvent the problems of traditional optical polarization conversion devices, such as a narrow bandwidth, bulky size, and integration difficulties, a linear–radial polarization converter (LRPC) method based on optical metasurfaces is proposed. For a visible wavelength, i.e.,  λ = 632.8 n m , an all-dielectric half-wave plate and a LRPC with a size of 40 λ (25.312 µm) are designed. The simulated results demonstrate that the LRPC creates a radially polarized wave from a linearly polarized wave in the wavelength range of 620–680 nm. In addition, a cylindrical vectorial wave with different polarizations can be generated via an adjustment of the polarization direction of the incident wave. These types of polarization converters have the important advantage of high transmittance, while also being ultra-thin and easy to integrate. They are expected to be suitable for miniaturized and integrated optical devices.