Electrically Tunable Generation of Vector Beams via Integrated Liquid Crystal Plates and Dielectric Metasurface

Abstract

The generation and modulation of vector beams typically require mechanical adjustments of optical components, leading to a complex setup and long manipulation times. In this work, we propose an electrically controllable approach to generate vector beams by integrating liquid crystal plates with a dielectric metasurface. The dielectric metasurface features continuously reoriented optical axis, enabling the generation of high-quality vector beams. Two homogeneous liquid crystal plates, with phase retardation adjustable through an externally applied voltage, allow precise control over the latitude and longitude of vector polarization states on the Poincaré sphere. Once the experimental setup is established, no mechanical adjustments are necessary. The combination of liquid crystal plates and dielectric metasurface extends the capabilities of polarization manipulations, which leads to a convenient and flexible way to generate any desirable vector beams. This work could find potential applications in quantum optics, optical imaging, and precision sensing, where dynamic and precise control of light is crucial for enhancing performance and enabling scientific functionalities.