Ultra-wideband reflective polarization converter based on anisotropic metasurface

In this paper, we propose an ultra-wideband reflective linear cross-polarization converter based on anisotropic metasurface. Its unit cell is composed of a square-shaped resonator with intersectant diagonal and metallic ground sheet separated by dielectric substrate. Simulated results show that the converter can generate resonances at four frequencies under normal incident electromagnetic(EM) wave, leading to the bandwidth expansion of cross-polarization reflection. For verification,the designed polarization converter is fabricated and measured. The measured and simulated results agree well with each other, showing that the fabricated converter can convert x- or y-polarized incident wave into its cross polarized wave in a frequency range from 7.57 GHz to 20.46 GHz with a relative bandwidth of 91.2%, and the polarization conversion efficiency is greater than 90%. The proposed polarization converter has a simple geometry but an ultra wideband compared with the published designs, and hence possesses potential applications in novel polarization-control devices.     

Flexible broadband polarization converter based on metasurface at microwave band

A flexible broadband linear polarization converter is proposed based on the metasurface operating at microwave band.To achieve bandwidth extension property, long and short metallic arc wires, as well as the metallic disks placed over a ground plane, are combined into the polarizer, which can generate three neighboring resonances.Due to the combination of the first two resonances and the optimized size and thickness of the unit cell, the polarization converter can have a weak incident angle dependence.Both simulated and measured results confirm that the average polarization conversion ratio is over 85% from 11.3 GHz to 20.2 GHz within a broad range of incident angle from 0°to 45°.Moreover, the proposed polarization converter based on flexible substrates can be applied for conformal design.The simulation and experiment results demonstrate that our designed polarizer still keeps high polarization conversion efficiency, even when it adheres to convex cylindrical surfaces.The periodic metallic structure of the designed polarizer has great potential application values in the microwave, terahertz, and optic regimes.     

Wideband switchable dual-functional terahertz polarization converter based on vanadium dioxide-assisted metasurface

The terahertz technology has attracted considerable attention because of its potential applications in various fields.However,the research of functional devices,including polarization converters,remains a major demand for practical applications.In this work,a reflective dual-functional terahertz metadevice is presented,which combines two different polarization conversions through using a switchable metasurface.Different functions can be achieved because of the insulator-to-metal transition of vanadium dioxide(VO₂).At room temperature,the metadevice can be regarded as a linear-to-linear polarization convertor containing a gold circular split-ring resonator(CSRR),first polyimide(PI)spacer,continuous VO₂ film,second PI spacer,and gold substrate.The converter possesses a polarization conversion ratio higher than 0.9 and a bandwidth ratio of 81%in a range from 0.912 THz to 2.146 THz.When the temperature is above the insulator-to-metal transition temperature(approximately 68℃)and VO₂ becomes a metal,the metasurface transforms into a wideband linear-to-circular polarization converter composed of the gold CSRR,first PI layer,and continuous VO₂ film.The ellipticity is close to-1,while the axis ratio is lower than 3 dB in a range of 1.07 THz-1.67 THz.The metadevice also achieves a large angle tolerance and large manufacturing tolerance.     

Tunable wide-angle multi-band mid-infrared linear-to-linear polarization converter based on a graphene metasurface

We present a high-efficiency tunable wide-angle multi-band reflective linear-to-linear (LTL) polarization converter, which is composed of an array of two L-shaped graphene patches with different sizes. In the mid-infrared region, the proposed converter can transform x-polarized wave into y-polarized wave at four resonant frequencies. The polarization conversion ratios of the four bands reach 94.4%, 92.7%, 99.3%, and 93.1%, respectively. By carefully choosing the geometric parameter, triple-band LTL polarization conversion can also be realized. The three polarization conversion ratios reach 91.50%, 99.20%, and 97.22%, respectively. The influence of incident angle on the performances of the LTL polarization converter is investigated, and it is found that our polarization converter shows the angle insensitivity. Also, the dynamically tunable properties of the proposed polarization converter are numerically studied by changing Fermi energy. All the simulation results are conducted by finite element method.     

Wideband linear-to-circular polarization conversion realized by a transmissive anisotropic metasurface

We propose a metasurface which consists of three conductive layers separated by two dielectric layers. Each conductive layer consists of a square array of square loop apertures, however, a pair of corners of each square metal patch surrounded by the square loop apertures have been truncated, so it becomes an orthotropic structure with a pair of mutually perpendicular symmetric axes u and v. The simulated results show that the metasurface can be used as a wideband transmission-type polarization converter to realize linear-to-circular polarization conversion in the frequency range from12.21 GHz to 18.39 GHz, which is corresponding to a 40.4% fractional bandwidth. Moreover, its transmission coefficients at x-and y-polarized incidences are completely equal. We have analyzed the cause of the polarization conversion, and derived several formulas which can be used to calculate the magnitudes of cross-and co-polarization transmission coefficients at y-polarized incidence, together with the phase difference between them, based on the two independent transmission coefficients at u-and v-polarized incidences. Finally, one experiment was carried out, and the experiment and simulated results are in good agreement with each other.     

基于极化旋转超表面的圆极化天线设计

本文通过设计出一种反射型极化旋转超表面,在8—12 GHz频域内实现高效的极化旋转,并将其加载于微带缝隙天线下方构成新型的极化旋转超表面天线,利用超表面的90°极化旋转效应,成功实现了天线的圆极化辐射调制.仿真与实验结果表明:圆极化天线的中心工作频率为GHz,阻抗带宽为8.3—10 GHz.当微带缝隙天线与极化旋转超表面的间距H=4.5mm时,天线在8.3—8.8 GHz频带内实现了圆极化辐射;当mm时,天线在8.8—9.3 GHz频带内实现了圆极化辐射;当=8mm时,天线在9.3—10 GHz频带内实现了圆极化辐射.实验结果与仿真结果相符,证明了此种设计方法的有效性,也为微带缝隙天线的圆极化设计提供了一种新的途径.     

Dynamic polarization rotation and vector field steering based on phase change metasurface

Polarization rotation and vector field steering of electromagnetic wave are of great significance in modern optical applications. However, conventional polarization devices are bulky, monofunctional and lack of tunability, which pose great challenges to the miniaturized and multifunctional applications. Herein, we propose a meta-device that is capable of multi-state polarization rotation and vector field steering based on phase change metasurface. The supercell of the meta-device consists of four Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ (GST) elliptic cylinders located on a SiO₂ substrate. By independently controlling the phase state (amorphous or crystalline) of each GST elliptic cylinder, the meta-device can rotate the polarization plane of the linearly polarized incident light to different angles that cover from 19.8° to 154.9° at a wavelength of 1550 nm. Furthermore, by merely altering the phase transition state of GST elliptic cylinders, we successfully demonstrated a vector field steering by generating optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentums (OAMs) with topological charges of 0, 1 and −1, respectively. The proposed method provides a new platform for investigating dynamically tunable optical devices and has potential applications in many fields such as optical communications and information processing.     

Coherent polarization locking with near-perfect combining efficiency

We demonstrate the coherent locking of two orthogonal polarized lasers by using polarization selective loss. The two orthogonal polarizations are locked coherently to produce a resultant polarization state that sees minimal cavity loss. In contrast to the Michelson locking schemes, our scheme has the advantage of easy tunability, which helps to routinely achieve near-perfect (>99%) combining efficiency even when the power of the two arms is highly imbalanced and is varied from a power ratio of unity to >5. We also demonstrate an interesting phenomenon in which a miniscule injection of an antiphase field component from one arm into another can significantly inhibit the locking mechanism.     

A broadband cross-polarization conversion anisotropic metasurface based on multiple plasmon resonances

A compact broadband cross-polarization conversion metasurface functioning in the microwave regime is realized and experimentally demonstrated. The metasurface consists of a two-dimensional periodic arrangement of anisotropic doubleslit split-ring-resonator-based unit cells printed on top of a dielectric substrate, backed by metallic cladding. The proposed metasurface converts an x- or y- polarized wave into its orthogonal polarization over a fractional bandwidth of 100% from 5-15 GHz, both for normal as well as oblique incidence. Moreover, the sub-wavelength unit-cell size, thin dielectric substrate,and unique unit-cell design collectively make the response of the metasurface same for both polarizations and insensitive to the incidence angle. The designed structure is fabricated and tested. The measurement and simulation results are found to be consistent with each other.     

Transmissive 2-bit anisotropic coding metasurface

Coding metasurfaces have attracted tremendous interests due to unique capabilities of manipulating electromagnetic wave. However, archiving transmissive coding metasurface is still challenging. Here we propose a transmissive anisotropic coding metasurface that enables the independent control of two orthogonal polarizations. The polarization beam splitter and the orbital angular momentum (OAM) generator have been studied as typical applications of the anisotropic 2-bit coding metasurface. The simulated far field patterns illustrate that the x and y polarized electromagnetic waves are deflected into two different directions, respectively. The anisotropic coding metasurface has been experimentally verified to realize an OAM beam with l = 2 of right-handed polarized wave, resulting from both contributions from linear-to-circular polarization conversion and the phase profile modulation. This work is beneficial to enrich the polarization manipulation field and develop transmissive coding metasurfaces.     

Double-rod metasurface for mid-infrared polarization conversion

Resonant responses of metasurface enable effective control over the polarization properties of lights. In this paper,we demonstrate a double-rod metasurface for broadband polarization conversion in the mid-infrared region. The metasurface consists of a metallic double-rod array separated from a reflecting ground plane by a film of zinc selenide. By superimposing three localized resonances, cross polarization conversion is achieved over a bandwidth of 16.9 THz around the central frequency at 34.6 THz with conversion efficiency exceeding 70%. The polarization conversion performance is in qualitative agreement with simulation. The surface current distributions and electric field profiles of the resonant modes are discussed to analyze the underlying physical mechanism. Our demonstrated broadband polarization conversion has potential applications in the area of mid-infrared spectroscopy, communication, and sensing.     

Switchable terahertz polarization converter based on VO2 metamaterial

A switchable terahertz (THz) polarization converter based on vanadium dioxide (VO₂) metamaterial is proposed. It is a 5-layer structure which containing metal split-ring-resonator (SRR), the first polyimide (PI) spacer, VO₂ film, the second PI spacer, and metal grating. It is an array structure and the period in x and y directions is 100 μm. The performance is simulated by using finite integration technology. The simulation results show that, when the VO₂ is in insulating state, the device is a transmission polarization converter. The cross-linear polarization conversion can be realized in a broadband of 0.70 THz, and the polarization conversion rate (PCR) is higher than 99%. Under thermal stimulus, the VO₂ changes from insulating state to metallic state, and the device is a reflective polarization converter. The linear-to-circular polarization conversion can be successfully realized in a broadband of 0.50 THz, and the PCR is higher than 88%.     

一款基于多物理场调控的超宽带线-圆极化转换器

为了在微波波段实现可调谐的线-圆极化转换器的设计,结合固态等离子体与二氧化钒设计了一种基于多物理场调控的超宽带线-圆极化转换器,通过改变固态等离子体谐振单元激励状态和人为改变外部温度(T)来实现对该线-圆极化转换器工作频段的调控.采用了全波仿真的方法对该极化转换器的极化转换率曲线、反射相位曲线、轴比曲线、表面电流图进行了计算,并讨论了参数r_1与r_3对轴比的影响.仿真结果表明,当固态等离子体区域均未激励且T68℃时,3 dB轴比频带为14.3—29.7 GHz,相对带宽为70%;当固态等离子体区域均被激励且T68℃时,3 dB轴比频带为14.4—23.4 GHz与28.6—35.9 GHz,相对带宽分别为47.61%和22.64%;当固态等离子体区域未激励且T≥68℃时,3 dB轴比频带为8.4—11.2 GHz与18.7—29.5 GHz,相对带宽分别为28.57%与44.81%.通过改变固态等离子体的激励状态和外部温度,实现了该超宽带线-圆极化转换器工作带宽向高频和低频区域的移动.     

Dual-band and high-efficiency polarization converter based on metasurfaces at microwave frequencies

We present a dual-band and high-efficiency polarization converter in microwave regime. The proposed converter can convert a linearly polarized wave to its cross-polarized wave for two distinct bands: Ku (11.5–20.0 GHz) and Ka (28.8–34.0 GHz). It can also convert the linearly polarized wave to a circularly polarized wave at four other frequencies. The experimental results are in good agreement with simulation results for both frequency bands. The polarization conversion ratio is above 0.94 for the Ku-band and 0.90 for the Ka-band. Furthermore, the converter can achieve dual-band and high-efficiency polarization conversion over angles of incidence up to 45°. The converter is also polarization-selective in that only the x- and y-polarized waves can be converted. The physical mechanism of the dual-band polarization conversion effect is interpreted via decomposed electric field components that couple with different plasmon resonance modes of the structure.     

基于液晶可变相位延迟器的两片式线偏振态转换器研究

利用Jones矩阵法,理论上分析了方位角分别为0°和-45°的2个可变相位延迟器组成的偏振转换器可实现任意偏振态到水平线偏振态的转换,并推导出可变相位延迟器延迟量的表达式。利用自主研制的液晶相位可变延迟器的相位延迟,在1 V～2.7 V范围,根据驱动电压连续线性可调的特性,设计了两片液晶可变相位延迟器组成的偏振态转换器,实现了随机偏振态(Stokes参数为(-0.567,0.752,0.36))到水平偏振态(Stokes参数为(1,0,0))的可控调制,实验结果验证了理论分析结果。该偏振态转换器还可以实现其他任意偏振态到水平偏振态的调制。     

Transmission-type reconfigurable metasurface for linear-to-circular and linear-to-linear polarization conversions

We present a transmission-type polarization conversion metamaterial (PCM) whose functions can be dynamically switched among the linear-to-circular (LTC) and linear-to-linear (LTL) polarization conversions. The proposed PCM consists of a grating, a polarization conversion surface and a reconfigurable polarization selective surface incorporated with PIN diodes. By changing the states of diodes, the PCM can achieve the reconfigurable manipulations for incident waves. The Fabry-Pérot (F-P) resonances excited by the PCM contribute to the polarization conversions, as is illustrated. Moreover, through establishing the F-P-like cavity model and analyzing the electric field components of the transmitted waves, the conditions for realizing LTC polarization conversion are revealed, which can guide the construction of PCM. The prototype of PCM is fabricated and measured, which can achieve LTC and LTL polarization conversions within 3.31-3.56 GHz and 2.76-4.24 GHz, respectively, the polarization conversion ratios of two functions are higher than 0.95. The measurement results are in agreement with the simulation data.