Highly efficient, tunable, electro-optic metasurfaces based on quasi-bound states in the continuum

TL;DR

This paper presents highly efficient, tunable electro-optic metasurfaces based on quasi-bound states in the continuum, enabling ultrafast optical modulation and spatiotemporal control at telecom wavelengths with potential for advanced optical functionalities.

Contribution

The work introduces a novel electro-optic metasurface design utilizing qBIC resonances for ultrafast, high-efficiency optical modulation and tunable phase contrast imaging.

Findings

Achieved 95% modulation depth at telecom wavelengths.

Demonstrated electrically tunable phase contrast imaging.

Estimated bandwidth of 39 GHz for optical functions.

Abstract

Ultrafast and highly efficient dynamic optical metasurfaces enabling truly spatiotemporal control over optical radiation are poised to revolutionize modern optics and photonics, but their practical realization remains elusive. In this work, we demonstrate highly efficient electro-optic metasurfaces based on quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) operating in reflection that are amenable for ultrafast operation and thereby spatiotemporal control over reflected optical fields. The material configuration consists of a lithium niobate thin film sandwiched between an optically thick gold back-reflector and a grating of gold nanoridges also functioning as control electrodes. Metasurfaces for optical free-space intensity modulation are designed by utilizing the electro-optic Pockels effect in combination with an ultra-narrow qBIC resonance, whose wavelength can be finely tuned by varying the angle of light incidence. The fabricated electro-optic metasurfaces operate at telecom wavelengths with the modulation depth reaching 95 % (modulating thereby 35 % of the total incident power) for a bias voltage of +/-30 V within the electrical bandwidth of 125 MHz. Leveraging the highly angle-dependent qBIC resonance realized, we demonstrate electrically tunable phase contrast imaging using the fabricated metasurface. Moreover, given the potential bandwidth of 39 GHz estimated for the metasurface pixel size of 22 $\mu$m, the demonstrated electro-optic metasurfaces promise successful realization of unique optical functions, such as harmonic beam steering and spatiotemporal shaping as well as nonreciprocal operation.