Revealing topological phase in Pancharatnam-Berry metasurfaces using mesoscopic electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper develops a mesoscopic theoretical framework to understand topological phases in Pancharatnam-Berry metasurfaces, supported by experiments, advancing polarization-sensitive optical device design.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic mesoscopic description of topological metasurfaces, clarifying the physical mechanisms behind polarization-dependent symmetry breaking.

Findings

Theoretical framework for polarization-dependent metasurfaces

Interferometric experiments validate the theory

Deeper understanding of topological phases in metasurfaces

Abstract

Relying on the local orientation of nanostructures, Pancharatnam-Berry metasurfaces are currently enabling a new generation of polarization-sensitive optical devices. A systematical mesoscopic description of topological metasurfaces is developed, providing a deeper understanding of the physical mechanisms leading to the polarization-dependent breaking of translational symmetry in contrast with propagation phase effects. These theoretical results, along with interferometric experiments, contribute to the development of a solid theoretical framework for arbitrary polarization-dependent metasurfaces.