Electrically Controlled Metasurface for Lidar Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical metasurfaces have limited optical reconfigurability, restricting their ability to control optical properties dynamically.
Innovation Solution
An optical component comprising a metasurface with a repeating pattern of unit cells, where each unit cell includes two different scattering structures contacting substances with different refractive indices, allowing the refractive index of the second substance to be varied with an electrical control signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical metasurfaces are used, then light manipulation capability is provided, but optical reconfigurability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the metasurface optically reconfigurable through dynamic control. Liquid crystal units are integrated into the metasurface structure, allowing the optical properties to be changed dynamically by applying different voltages to the liquid crystal units. This enables the same metasurface to adapt to different optical requirements without physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between providing light manipulation capability and achieving optical reconfigurability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed optical properties are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and functionality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by enabling continuous adjustment of optical properties through voltage control of liquid crystal units. By changing the voltage parameter applied to each liquid crystal unit, the optical properties (such as phase, amplitude, or polarization) of the corresponding metasurface region can be precisely tuned. This provides flexible optical property adjustability while maintaining relatively simple electrical control, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
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
Enables dynamic adjustment of optical properties, including the diffraction angle, without moving parts, enhancing the flexibility and functionality of optical systems, such as LIDAR devices.
Implementation Method 1
each unit cell comprises a first scattering structure contacting a first substance having a first refractive index and a second scattering structure contacting a second substance, which differs from the first substance and which provides a refractive index, which is variable depending on an electrical control signal
Implementation Method 2
These meta-atoms usually consist of plasmonic or dielectric nanoantennas, which can directly change light properties such as phase, amplitude, and polarization
Implementation Method 3
Metasurfaces provide a high resolution control over the phase profile of the optical beam
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical component comprising a metasurface, wherein the metasurface comprises a repeating pattern of unit cells, wherein each unit cell comprises at least two different scattering structures, wherein first scattering structures are at least partially contacting a first substance having a first refractive index and second scattering structures are at least partially contacting a second substance, which differs from the first substance, wherein the second substance provides a refractive index which is variable depending on an electrical control signal, wherein a plurality of pairs of first scattering structures contacting the first substance and second scattering structures contacting the second substance are arranged row-wise on electrodes, wherein electrodes supporting neighboring rows of pairs of first and second scattering structures are electrically separated from each other, and a LIDAR system comprising such an optical component. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for amending a deflection angle of such an optical component.