Controlling Electromagnetic Fields at Boundaries of Arbitrary Geometries

TL;DR

This paper introduces conformal boundary optics, a design theory for controlling electromagnetic fields at boundaries of arbitrary shapes, enabling advanced optical effects for conformable photonics and wearable devices.

Contribution

It presents a novel framework for designing boundary coatings that achieve desired optical responses on arbitrary geometries, expanding the capabilities of metasurface applications.

Findings

Enables realization of optical illusions and anomalous diffraction effects.

Provides a general approach applicable to various fields with complex interfaces.

Facilitates design of next-generation wearable optical components.

Abstract

Rapid developments in the emerging field of stretchable and conformable photonics necessitate analytical expressions for boundary conditions at metasurfaces of arbitrary geometries. Here, we introduce the concept of conformal boundary optics: a design theory that determines the optical response for designer input and output fields at such interfaces. Given any object, we can realise coatings to achieve exotic effects like optical illusions and anomalous diffraction behaviour. This approach is relevant to a broad range of applications from conventional refractive optics to the design of the next-generation of wearable optical components. This concept can be generalized to other fields of research where designer interfaces with nontrivial geometries are encountered.