Metasurface-enhanced light detection and ranging technology.

Deploying advanced imaging solutions to robotic and autonomous systems by mimicking human vision requires simultaneous acquisition of multiple fields of views, named the peripheral and fovea regions. Among 3D computer vision techniques, LiDAR is currently considered at the industrial level for robotic vision. Notwithstanding the efforts on LiDAR integration and optimization, commercially available devices have slow frame rate and low resolution, notably limited by the performance of mechanical or solid-state deflection systems. Metasurfaces are versatile optical components that can distribute the optical power in desired regions of space. Here, we report on an advanced LiDAR technology that leverages from ultrafast low FoV deflectors cascaded with large area metasurfaces to achieve large FoV (150°) and high framerate (kHz) which can provide simultaneous peripheral and central imaging zones. The use of our disruptive LiDAR technology with advanced learning algorithms offers perspectives to improve perception and decision-making process of ADAS and robotic systems.

Broadband decoupling of intensity and polarization with vectorial Fourier metasurfaces.

Intensity and polarization are two fundamental components of light. Independent control of them is of tremendous interest in many applications. In this paper, we propose a general vectorial encryption method, which enables arbitrary far-field light distribution with the local polarization, including orientations and ellipticities, decoupling intensity from polarization across a broad bandwidth using geometric phase metasurfaces. By revamping the well-known iterative Fourier transform algorithm, we propose "à la carte" design of far-field intensity and polarization distribution with vectorial Fourier metasurfaces. A series of non-conventional vectorial field distribution, mimicking cylindrical vector beams in the sense that they share the same intensity profile but with different polarization distribution and a speckled phase distribution, is demonstrated. Vectorial Fourier optical metasurfaces may enable important applications in the area of complex light beam generation, secure optical data storage, steganography and optical communications.

Nanophotonics for light detection and ranging technology.

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, a laser-based imaging technique for accurate distance measurement, is considered one of the most crucial sensor technologies for autonomous vehicles, artificially intelligent robots and unmanned aerial vehicle reconnaissance. Until recently, LiDAR has relied on light sources and detectors mounted on multiple mechanically rotating optical transmitters and receivers to cover an entire scene. Such an architecture gives rise to limitations in terms of the imaging frame rate and resolution. In this Review, we examine how novel nanophotonic platforms could overcome the hardware restrictions of existing LiDAR technologies. After briefly introducing the basic principles of LiDAR, we present the device specifications required by the industrial sector. We then review a variety of LiDAR-relevant nanophotonic approaches such as integrated photonic circuits, optical phased antenna arrays and flat optical devices based on metasurfaces. The latter have already demonstrated exceptional functional beam manipulation properties, such as active beam deflection, point-cloud generation and device integration using scalable manufacturing methods, and are expected to disrupt modern optical technologies. In the outlook, we address the upcoming physics and engineering challenges that must be overcome from the viewpoint of incorporating nanophotonic technologies into commercially viable, fast, ultrathin and lightweight LiDAR systems.

Ptychography retrieval of fully polarized holograms from geometric-phase metasurfaces.

Controlling light properties with diffractive planar elements requires full-polarization channels and accurate reconstruction of optical signal for real applications. Here, we present a general method that enables wavefront shaping with arbitrary output polarization by encoding both phase and polarization information into pixelated metasurfaces. We apply this concept to convert an input plane wave with linear polarization to a holographic image with arbitrary spatial output polarization. A vectorial ptychography technique is introduced for mapping the Jones matrix to monitor the reconstructed metasurface output field and to compute the full polarization properties of the vectorial far field patterns, confirming that pixelated interfaces can deflect vectorial images to desired directions for accurate targeting and wavefront shaping. Multiplexing pixelated deflectors that address different polarizations have been integrated into a shared aperture to display several arbitrary polarized images, leading to promising new applications in vector beam generation, full color display and augmented/virtual reality imaging.

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Fourier ptychography.

We present a theoretical and numerical study of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering Fourier ptychography microscopy (CARS-FPM), a scheme that has not been considered so far in the previously reported CARS wide-field imaging schemes. In this approach, the distribution of the Raman scatterer density of the sample is reconstructed numerically from CARS images obtained under various angles of incidences of the pump or Stokes beam. Our inversion procedure is based on an accurate vectorial model linking the CARS image to the sample and yields both the real and imaginary parts of the susceptibility, the latter giving access to the Raman information, with an improved resolution.

Quantitative model of the image of a radiating dipole through a microscope.

In this paper, we introduce a formalism to determine the relationship between the full vectorial electric field existing at the object plane of a microscope and that existing at the image plane. The model is then used to quantitatively simulate, in both phase and intensity, the image of a radiating electric dipole placed either in a homogeneous medium or in the vicinity of a substrate. These simulations are compared with experimental measurements on single gold nanoparticles carried out by quadriwave lateral shearing interferometry.

Exciton enhancement and exciplex quenching by plasmonic effect of Aluminum nanoparticle arrays in a blue organic light emitting diode.

We report the investigation of plasmonic effect of array of aluminum nanoparticles (Al-NPs) on blue micro-OLED subject to exciplex emission. N,N'-Di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (NPB) andcarbazol derivative 4,4'-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (CBP) have been used as the emitting layer (EML) and hole transport layer (HTL), respectively. For the reference µ-OLED without Al-NPs, we observed two emission peaks attributed to CBP emission and exciplex emission formed at the NPB/CBP (EML/HTL) interface. By the incorporation of the Al-NPs array, obtained by e-beam lithography technique on the ITO anode, the exciplex emission has been widely depressed. Moreover, thanks to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), an enhancement of the CBP emission has been achieved indicating an efficient energy coupling between the LSPR of the Al-NPs and the CBP excitons. Thus, an enhancement of about 20% of the efficiency of the µ-OLED with Al-NPs in comparison to the reference device has been obtained.

Localized surface plasmon enhanced emission of organic light emitting diode coupled to DBR-cathode microcavity by using silver nanoclusters.

In this work, we aim to increase the emission of the standard guest-host organic light emitting diode (OLED) thanks to localized surface plasmon and to investigate this effect in a microcavity. As a first step, we consider thermal deposition of silver clusters within an OLED guest-host stack. We investigate both the influence of the size of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and their position within the OLED heterostructure. Secondly, we study the optimized OLED within a microcavity formed by Al-cathode top mirror and a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) bottom mirror. The experimental results show a substantial enhancement of the electroluminescence (EL) intensity as well as a reduction of the spectral width at a half maximum.