Integrated Metasurface Optics for High-Transmittance Light Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gate-tunable metasurfaces typically operate at wavelength locations with lower reflectivity, leading to low efficiency due to their reflection-mode design.

Innovation Solution

An integrated optical element is proposed, featuring a transmission-mode metasurface with conductive layers, dielectric layers, and transparent conductive layers, arranged in a specific structure to enhance efficiency by operating at wavelength locations with higher transmittance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gate-tunable metasurface is designed as a reflection-mode device, then the device can provide different degree of phase shift at different location to regulate the deflection angle of the reflected light, but the device must be operated at the wavelength location with lower reflectivity, causing low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight deflection angle regulationVSAvoiddevice efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional reflection-mode metasurface design by creating a transmission-mode metasurface. Instead of reflecting light to achieve phase shift and deflection angle regulation, the new design transmits light through the metasurface structure. This inversion allows the device to operate at wavelength locations with higher transmittance (lower absorption), thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining the capability to regulate light deflection angles through phase shift control at different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the metasurface operates at wavelength location with lower reflectivity, then the phase shift regulation function is maintained, but the device efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase shift regulation precisionVSAvoiddevice efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent switches from reflection-mode to transmission-mode operation, allowing the metasurface to function at wavelengths where transmittance is high rather than where reflectivity is low. This enables simultaneous achievement of precise phase shift regulation and high device efficiency, as the transmission mode avoids the energy loss inherent in reflection-mode operation at suboptimal wavelength locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from reflection-based phase control to transmission-based phase control. By modifying the working principle from reflection mode to transmission mode, the metasurface can operate at different wavelength locations where transmittance is maximized, thereby improving device efficiency while maintaining phase shift regulation precision through the engineered conductive layer and hole structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a transmission-mode metasurface is designed, then the efficiency is enhanced by operating at wavelength locations with higher transmittance, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice efficiencyVSAvoidmetasurface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the metasurface into distinct functional layers: conductive layers with precisely positioned holes, dielectric layers for insulation and structural support, and transparent conductive layers for additional optical control. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function while contributing to the overall transmission-mode operation, enabling high efficiency at wavelength locations with higher transmittance despite the increased structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The transmission-mode metasurface design enhances efficiency by operating at wavelength locations with higher transmittance, reducing stray light and higher-order diffraction, and allowing for precise regulation of light deflection angles.

Implementation Method 1

The device can provide different degree of phase shift at different location to regulate the deflection angle of the reflected light by changing the optical properties of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase modulation:

Implementation Method 2

a carrier concentration of the transparent conductive layer cladded in the structure is regulated by applying voltage to a gate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 3

reducing stray light and higher-order diffraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS20250169237A1Integrated optical element and forming method of metasurface

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An integrated optical element includes a light-emitting device layer and a metasurface over the light-emitting device layer. The metasurface includes a plurality of conductive layers, a first dielectric layer and a first transparent conductive layer. The conductive layers are arranged along a first direction, in which each of the conductive layers has a plurality of holes. The first dielectric layer covers the conductive layers. The first transparent conductive layer covers the first dielectric layer.