On-demand light wave manipulation enabled by single-layer dielectric metasurfaces

Dielectric metasurfaces have been widely developed as ultra-compact photonic elements based on which prominent miniaturized devices of general interest, such as spectrometers, achromatic lens, and polarization cameras, have been implemented. With metasurface applications taking off, realizing versatile manipulation of light waves is becoming crucial. Here, by detailedly analyzing the light wave modulation principles raising from an individual meta-atom, we discuss the minimalist design strategy of dielectric metasurfaces for multi-dimensionally manipulating light waves, including parameter and spatial dimensions. As proof-of-concepts, those on-demand manipulations in different dimensions and their application potentials are exemplified by metasurfaces composed of polycrystalline silicon rectangle nanopillars. This framework provides basic guidelines for the flexible design of functionalized metasurfaces and the expansion of their applications as well as implementation approaches of more abundant light wave manipulations and applications using hybrid structures.