Hybrid Meta-optics Enabled Ultra-Broadband and High-efficiency Polarization Imaging

The emergence of hybrid meta-refractive systems has provided a novel platform for broadband achromatic imaging. However, high diffraction efficiency across wide angles and broad spectra is difficult to achieve with metasurfaces. As a result, hybrid meta-refractive systems face challenges in maintaining high imaging resolution over both the broadband spectrum and the wide field of view (FOV). Here, a hybrid meta-optics system (HMOS) is proposed based on an ultra-broadband aberration compensator. By integrating geometric-phase liquid crystal components (GPLCC) with polarization imaging, HMOS successfully overcomes the existing limitations of imaging systems in simultaneously achieving broadband performance, wide FOV, and high efficiency. This system demonstrates diffraction-limited imaging performance with a FOV of up to 178° and ≈100% maximum effective energy utilization theoretically across the wavelength range of 900–1700 nm. The fabricated HMOS efficiently performs polarization dehazing and polarization imaging across indoor and complex outdoor environments. Furthermore, its lightweight design enables integration with unmanned aerial vehicle platforms for remote imaging tasks in real-world scenarios. This work demonstrates remarkable potential for advancing multifunctional, high-efficiency, and easily deployable optical imaging systems.