Non-orthogonal-polarization multiplexed metasurfaces for tri-channel gray-imaging

Metasurface based polarization multiplexing is usually conducted in two orthogonal-polarization states, e.g., linearly polarized along x/y axes, left/right-handed circularly polarized states, etc. Herein, we show metasurfaces can be employed to implement tri-channel polarization multiplexing in three non-orthogonal-polarization states, merely with a single-size nanostructure design approach. Specifically, nanostructured metasurfaces acting as nano-polarizer arrays can modulate the incident light intensity pixel-by-pixel by controlling the orientation angles of nanostructures, governed by Malus's law. Hence, by inserting a metasurface between a bulk-optic polarizer and an analyzer, and elaborately controlling their polarization combinations, we show that the Malus-assisted metasurface can simultaneously record a continuous gray-image and two independent binary-patterns in three different information channels. We experimentally demonstrate this concept by recording three independent gray-images right at the metasurface surface. With the advantages of high information density, high security, high compatibility and ultracompactness, the proposed gray-imaging meta-device can play a significant role in the field of optical storage, anti-counterfeiting, and information multiplexing, etc.