High-Q and Polarization-Insensitive Metasurface-Based Spatial Light Modulator Using Organic Electro-Optic Polymer

The spatial light modulator based on metasurface incorporating organic electro-optic polymer shows great promise due to its highly efficient modulation. However, precise regulation of the modulated light polarization state is necessary to achieve satisfactory modulation, which might be demanding in some scenarios. On the other hand, micro-nano modulator based on organic polymer faces the challenges of low-Q and limited light-matter interaction length. Here we present a high-Q and polarization-insensitive single-pixel spatial light modulator consisting of periodic cylindrical silicon nanopillars and coated with polymer. Consequently, it achieves polarization insensitivity for incident light at any polarization state in principle, with a simulated Q factor of 1051.3 and an experimental Q factor of 465.2. At the telecommunications wavelength, the maximum tuning sensitivity is 0.083 nm/V and the maximum extinction ratio is 15.9 dB. Its comprehensive performance is competitive for polarization-insensitive spatial light modulator. The modulator also features highspeed modulation and simple processing, enabling practical applications of metasurface.