New opportunities for metasurfaces in optoelectronics

A global review of advancements in integrating metasurfaces—thin planar arrays of nanostructures—into optoelectronic devices highlights their potential to transform technologies such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, optical modulators, and photodetectors. This progress can pave the way for breakthroughs across industries including augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), optical communication, thermal management, solar energy, and quantum technologies.

The review, led by researchers from the A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (A*STAR IMRE) and Stanford University, and in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, was published in Science on 29 November 2024.

Metasurfaces are extremely thin, engineered layers made of tiny building blocks (nanostructures) that can bend, reflect, or change light precisely. These advanced materials offer opportunities for enhanced device performance. For instance, metasurface-integrated photodetectors can capture more complex light information, such as spectral and polarization data, driving progress in imaging systems and optical computing. Similarly, in LEDs, metasurfaces improve quantum yields and enable precise directionality and color control in LEDs.

By integrating these versatile materials into devices like LEDs, lasers, and photodetectors, researchers have demonstrated significant potential for advances in performance, efficiency, and compactness.

• AR/VR and Displays: Metasurfaces make high-resolution, ultra-compact optics possible, supporting more immersive and lightweight wearable devices.
• Renewable Energy: Improved light absorption and power conversion efficiency in solar cells contribute to enhanced sustainability.
• Optical Communication and Lasers: Enhanced beam quality and polarization control enable faster and more reliable data transmission.
• Sensing and Imaging: Metasurface-enabled photodetectors capture complex light-field data, advancing health care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and autonomous transport.

“Metasurfaces offer a game-changing approach to light manipulation, combining precision, versatility, and compactness,” said Dr. Ha Son Tung, Senior Scientist from A*STAR IMRE. “This could reshape how industries like renewable energy, health care, and advanced manufacturing utilize light.”

Future efforts will center on enhancing the multifunctionality of metasurfaces, enabling them to perform optical, electronic, and thermal functions simultaneously. To facilitate scaling up commercial applications, the team aims to develop scalable manufacturing techniques that align with industry standards and ensure material compatibility for seamless integration.

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