Metamaterial optical diodes for linearly and circularly polarized light

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that planar metamaterials can act as optical diodes, allowing different transmission intensities for forward and backward propagation of polarized light, depending on their symmetry and polarization type.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of metamaterial optical diodes that differentiate light transmission based on direction and polarization, expanding the functionality of metamaterials.

Findings

Transmission differs for forward and backward directions at non-normal incidence.

The effect depends on the symmetry of the metamaterial pattern.

Both linearly and circularly polarized light exhibit diode-like behavior.

Abstract

The total intensity of light transmitted at non-normal incidence thorough planar metamaterials can be different for forward and backward propagation. For metamaterial patterns of different symmetries we observe this effect for circularly or linearly polarized light.