Sage Doshay

Large-Angle, Multifunctional Metagratings Based on Freeform Multimode Geometries

We show that silicon-based metagratings capable of large-angle, multifunctional performance can be realized using inverse freeform design. These devices consist of nonintuitive nanoscale patterns and support a large number of spatially overlapping optical modes per unit area. The quantity of modes, in combination with their optimized responses, provides the degrees of freedom required to produce high-efficiency devices. To demonstrate the power and versatility of our approach, we fabricate metagratings that can efficiently deflect light to 75° angles and multifunctional devices that can steer beams to different diffraction orders based on wavelength. A theoretical analysis of the Bloch modes supported by these devices elucidates the spatial mode profiles and coupling dynamics that make high-performance beam deflection possible. This approach represents a new paradigm in nano-optical mode engineering and utilizes different physics from the current state-of-the-art, which is based on the stitching of noninteracting waveguide structures. We envision that inverse design will enable new classes of high-performance photonic systems and new strategies toward the nanoscale control of light fields.

High-performance axicon lenses based on high-contrast, multilayer gratings

Axicon lenses are versatile optical elements that can convert Gaussian beams to Bessel-like beams. In this letter, we demonstrate that axicons operating with high efficiencies and at large angles can be produced using high-contrast, multilayer gratings made from silicon. Efficient beam deflection of incident monochromatic light is enabled by higher-order optical modes in the silicon structure. Compared to diffractive devices made from low-contrast materials such as silicon dioxide, our multilayer devices have a relatively low spatial profile, reducing shadowing effects and enabling high efficiencies at large deflection angles. In addition, the feature sizes of these structures are relatively large, making the fabrication of near-infrared devices accessible with conventional optical lithography. Experimental lenses with deflection angles as large as 40° display field profiles that agree well with theory. Our concept can be used to design optical elements that produce higher-order Bessel-like beams, and the...

Silicon-based visible light meta-devices (Conference Presentation)

Semiconducting nanostructures are promising as components in high performance metasurfaces. We show that single crystal silicon can be used to realize efficient metasurface devices across the entire visible spectrum, ranging from 480 to 700 nanometers. Alternative forms of silicon, such as polycrystalline and amorphous silicon, suffer from higher absorption losses and do not yield efficient metasurfaces across this wavelength range. To demonstrate, we theoretically and experimentally characterize the resonant scattering peaks of individual single crystal silicon nanoridges. In addition, we design high efficiency meta-gratings and lenses based on nanoridge arrays, operating at visible wavelengths, using a stochastic optimization approach. We find that at wavelengths where single crystal silicon is effectively lossless, devices based on high aspect ratio nanostructures are optimal. These devices possess efficiencies similar to those made of titanium oxide, which is an established material for high efficiency visible wavelength metasurfaces. At blue wavelengths, where single crystal silicon exhibits absorption losses, optimal devices are instead based on coupled low aspect ratio resonant nanostructures and are able to provide reasonably high efficiencies. We envision that crystalline silicon metasurfaces will enable compact optical systems spanning the full visible spectrum.

Optics and nonlinear buckling mechanics in large-area, highly stretchable arrays of plasmonic nanostructures (Presentation Recording)

Large scale, dense arrays of plasmonic nanodisks (Au) on low modulus, high elongation elastomeric substrates (PDMS) represent a class of tunable optical system, with reversible ability to shift plasmon resonances, originating from array deformation, over a range of nearly 600nm in the visible region. At the most extreme levels of mechanical deformation (strains <100%), non-linear buckling processes transform initially planar arrays into three dimensional configurations, in which the nanodisks rotate out of the plane, giving rise to an increase of transition rate, to form linear arrays with ‘wavy’ geometries. Analytical and finite element models capture not only the physics of these buckling processes, including all of distinct modes that occur, but also the quantitative effects of these deformations on the plasmonic responses. The results have relevance to mechanically tunable optical systems, with potential relevance to soft optical sensors that integrate on or in the human body.