Optically Addressed Spatial Light Modulator based on Nonlinear Metasurface

Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are devices for modulating amplitude, phase, or polarization of light beams on demand. Such devices are regarded as the backbone for optical information parallel processing and future optical computers. Currently, SLMs are mainly operated in an electrical addressing manner, wherein the optical beams are modulated by electrical signals. However, future all-optical information processing systems prefer to control light directly by light (i.e., optically addressed, OA) without electro-optical conversion. Here, we present an OASLM based on a metasurface (MS-OASLM), whose operation principle relies on nonlinear polarization control of read light by another write light at the nanoscale. Its resolution is more than 10 times higher than a typical commercial SLM and achieves 500 line pairs per millimeter (corresponding to a pixel size of only 1 μm). The MS-OASLM shows unprecedented compactness and is only 400 nm in thickness. Such MS-OASLMs could provide opportunities to develop next generation all-optical information processing and high resolution display technologies.