From passive to active structured light sources

Unique optical properties of optical nanostructures open unlimited opportunities for sculpting light. We discuss recent developments in passive and active nanophotonic structures that allow dramatically altering such properties of light as amplitude, phase, polarization, frequency and angular momentum. First, we consider linear and nonlinear optical metasurfaces, nano-patterned layers with subwavelength thickness that enable versatile control of the topology of light as well as novel regimes of frequency conversion. Next, we discuss our recent studies of orbital angular momentum microlasers and laser arrays based on the properties of total momentum conservation, spin-orbit interaction, and optical non-Hermitian symmetry breaking. These studies may provide a route for the development of the next generation of optoelectronic devices for classical and quantum communication systems.