Multichannel vectorial holographic display and encryption. Issue 1 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Ruizhe; Sain, Basudeb; Wei, Qunshuo; Tang, Chengchun; Li, Xiaowei; Weiss, Thomas; Huang, Lingling; Wang, Yongtian; Zentgraf, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Light, science & applications. Volume 7:Issue 1(2018:Jan.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Optics -- Research -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; 535.05
• DOI: 10.1038/s41377-018-0091-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-7538

Abstract

Abstract Since its invention, holography has emerged as a powerful tool to fully reconstruct the wavefronts of light including all the fundamental properties (amplitude, phase, polarization, wave vector, and frequency). For exploring the full capability for information storage/display and enhancing the encryption security of metasurface holograms, smart multiplexing techniques together with suitable metasurface designs are highly demanded. Here, we integrate multiple polarization manipulation channels for various spatial phase profiles into a single birefringent vectorial hologram by completely avoiding unwanted cross-talk. Multiple independent target phase profiles with quantified phase relations that can process significantly different information in different polarization states are realized within a single metasurface. For our metasurface holograms, we demonstrate high fidelity, large efficiency, broadband operation, and a total of twelve polarization channels. Such multichannel polarization multiplexing can be used for dynamic vectorial holographic display and can provide triple protection for optical security. The concept is appealing for applications of arbitrary spin to angular momentum conversion and various phase modulation/beam shaping elements. Vectorial holography: Realizing the potential of metasurface holograms Scientists have developed a novel technique that uses metasurfaces for creating holograms, paving the way for a range of new holographic-based optical devices with potential use in optical displays, optical data storage and security. Holography based on metasurfaces can show exceptional spatial resolution, enormous information capacity and wide field of view. However, current techniques suffer from crosstalk between polarization channels that create undesired effects, preventing the full capacity of all polarization channels from being realized. Now, Thomas Zentgraf and colleagues from the University of Paderborn in Germany, together with colleagues from Beijing Institute of Technology and Southern University of Science and Technology in China, have developed a new technique that integrates multiple polarization channels into a single hologram that completely avoids unwanted crosstalk, and significantly increase protection for optical data security.