Strain multiplexed metasurface holograms on a stretchable substrate

TL;DR

This paper presents stretchable metasurface holograms that can dynamically change images and focus points when the substrate is stretched, enabling reconfigurable optical displays and communication devices.

Contribution

It introduces reconfigurable, stretchable metasurface holograms capable of switching images and adjusting focus in the visible spectrum for the first time.

Findings

Stretchable metasurface holograms operate in the visible regime.

Stretching enlarges the hologram and shifts the image plane.

Devices can switch between multiple images upon stretching.

Abstract

We demonstrate reconfigurable phase-only computer-generated metasurface holograms with one, two, or three image planes operating in the visible regime on a stretchable polydimethylsiloxane substrate. Stretching the substrate enlarges the hologram image and changes the location of the image plane. Upon stretching, these devices can switch the displayed holographic image between multiple distinct images. This work opens up the possibilities for stretchable metasurface holograms as flat devices for dynamically reconfigurable optical communication and display. It also confirms that metasurfaces on stretchable substrates can serve as platform for a variety of reconfigurable optical devices.