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Full polarization and high coherence control of thermal emissions via saddle-band dispersion engineering

Author

Listed:
  • Kaili Sun

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Guangdong Wang

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Wenyu Li

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Yinghan Wang

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Yangjian Cai

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Lujun Huang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Andrea Alù

    (New York)

  • Zhanghua Han

    (Shandong Normal University)

Abstract

Photonic engineering in metasurfaces has enabled unprecedented control over thermal emissions in recent years. Here, we present a design strategy that achieves full and simultaneous control over both polarization and coherence of thermal emission across a broad range of output angles. Our design builds upon a double-sided corrugated waveguide array that supports a unique saddle-shaped high-Q dispersion band—parabolic along the waveguide direction to ensure high spatial coherence by involving minimal wavevectors, and flat in the perpendicular direction to enhance collection efficiency through 1D spatial filters and focusing lenses. The continuous tuning of polarization states is achieved by adjusting the relative offset of corrugations along the waveguide direction. We fabricate a series of metasurfaces and demonstrate record-high temporal coherence (Q ≈ 304), spatial coherence (coherence length: 0.32 mm), spin coherence (emission circular dichroism ≈ 0.91), and multiple polarization states, with all features retained over large output angles (over 10°).

Suggested Citation

  • Kaili Sun & Guangdong Wang & Wenyu Li & Yinghan Wang & Yangjian Cai & Lujun Huang & Andrea Alù & Zhanghua Han, 2025. "Full polarization and high coherence control of thermal emissions via saddle-band dispersion engineering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63334-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63334-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shunsuke Daimon & Ryo Iguchi & Tomosato Hioki & Eiji Saitoh & Ken-ichi Uchida, 2016. "Thermal imaging of spin Peltier effect," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Jean-Jacques Greffet & Rémi Carminati & Karl Joulain & Jean-Philippe Mulet & Stéphane Mainguy & Yong Chen, 2002. "Coherent emission of light by thermal sources," Nature, Nature, vol. 416(6876), pages 61-64, March.
    3. D. Halbertal & J. Cuppens & M. Ben Shalom & L. Embon & N. Shadmi & Y. Anahory & H. R. Naren & J. Sarkar & A. Uri & Y. Ronen & Y. Myasoedov & L. S. Levitov & E. Joselevich & A. K. Geim & E. Zeldov, 2016. "Nanoscale thermal imaging of dissipation in quantum systems," Nature, Nature, vol. 539(7629), pages 407-410, November.
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