Manipulating light at distance by a metasurface using momentum transformation

A momentum conservation approach is introduced to manipulate light at distance using metasurfaces. Given a specified field existing on one side of the metasurface and specified desired field transmitted from the opposite side, a general momentum boundary condition is established, which determines the amplitude, phase and polarization transformation to be induced by the metasurface. This approach, named momentum transformation, enables a systematic way to synthesize metasurfaces with complete control over the reflected and transmitted fields. Several synthesis illustrative examples are provided: a vortex hypergeometric-Gaussian beam and a "delayed-start" accelerated beam for Fresnel region manipulation, and a pencil beam radiator and a holographic repeater for Frauenhofer region manipulation

Coexistence of full which-path information and interference in Wheelers delayed choice experiment with photons

We present a computer simulation model that is a one-to-one copy of an experimental realization of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment that employs a single photon source and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer composed of a 50/50 input beam splitter and a variable output beam splitter with adjustable reflection coefficient $R$ (V. Jacques {\sl et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 220402 (2008)). For $0\le R\le 0.5$, experimentally measured values of the interference visibility $V$ and the path distinguishability $D$, a parameter quantifying the which-path information WPI, are found to fulfill the complementary relation $V^2+D^2\le 1$, thereby allowing to obtain partial WPI while keeping interference with limited visibility. The simulation model that is solely based on experimental facts, that satisfies Einstein's criterion of local causality and that does not rely on any concept of quantum theory or of probability theory, reproduces quantitatively the averages calculated from quantum theory. Our results prove that it is possible to give a particle-only description of the experiment, that one can have full WPI even if D=0, V=1 and therefore that the relation $V^2+D^2\le 1$ cannot be regarded as quantifying the notion of complementarity.Comment: Physica E, in press; see also http://www.compphys.ne

Nonreciprocal Wavefront Engineering with Time-Modulated Gradient Metasurfaces

We propose a paradigm to realize nonreciprocal wavefront engineering using time-modulated gradient metasurfaces. The essential building block of these surfaces is a subwavelength unit cell whose reflection coefficient oscillates at low frequency. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that such modulation permits tailoring the phase and amplitude of any desired nonlinear harmonic and determines the behavior of all other emerging fields. By appropriately adjusting the phase delay applied to the modulation of each unit cell, we realize time-modulated gradient metasurfaces that provide efficient conversion between two desired frequencies and enable nonreciprocity by (i) imposing drastically different phase gradients during the up/down conversion processes and (ii) exploiting the interplay between the generation of certain nonlinear surface and propagative waves. To demonstrate the performance and broad reach of the proposed platform, we design and analyze metasurfaces able to implement various functionalities, including beam steering and focusing, while exhibiting strong and angle-insensitive nonreciprocal responses. Our findings open an alternative direction in the field of gradient metasurfaces, in which wavefront control and magnetic-free nonreciprocity are locally merged to manipulate the scattered fields

The Dirichlet-to-Robin Transform

A simple transformation converts a solution of a partial differential equation with a Dirichlet boundary condition to a function satisfying a Robin (generalized Neumann) condition. In the simplest cases this observation enables the exact construction of the Green functions for the wave, heat, and Schrodinger problems with a Robin boundary condition. The resulting physical picture is that the field can exchange energy with the boundary, and a delayed reflection from the boundary results. In more general situations the method allows at least approximate and local construction of the appropriate reflected solutions, and hence a "classical path" analysis of the Green functions and the associated spectral information. By this method we solve the wave equation on an interval with one Robin and one Dirichlet endpoint, and thence derive several variants of a Gutzwiller-type expansion for the density of eigenvalues. The variants are consistent except for an interesting subtlety of distributional convergence that affects only the neighborhood of zero in the frequency variable.Comment: 31 pages, 5 figures; RevTe

Reconfigurable Reflectarrays and Array Lenses for Dynamic Antenna Beam Control: A Review

Advances in reflectarrays and array lenses with electronic beam-forming capabilities are enabling a host of new possibilities for these high-performance, low-cost antenna architectures. This paper reviews enabling technologies and topologies of reconfigurable reflectarray and array lens designs, and surveys a range of experimental implementations and achievements that have been made in this area in recent years. The paper describes the fundamental design approaches employed in realizing reconfigurable designs, and explores advanced capabilities of these nascent architectures, such as multi-band operation, polarization manipulation, frequency agility, and amplification. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing future challenges and possibilities for these antennas.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure