非线性光学超构材料

在线性光学范畴下,光学超构材料等人工结构材料的出现与发展使得人们在控制光与物质的相互作用方面拥有更多自由度。例如,利用人工设计的功能单元可在亚波长尺度对光的振幅、相位和偏振进行灵活有效的调控,从而实现超透镜、负折射、隐身衣等新奇光学效应。通过调控超构材料中光的几何相位、局域电磁增强等物理机制,可实现光与物质相互作用的显著增强,为实现非线性微纳光学光源及其应用开启了新的大门。围绕近年来光学超构材料在光学频率转换、超快光开关与光调制、以及非线性相位调控等方面的研究进展进行了总结,并对非线性光学超构材料在未来应用中的前景和所面临的挑战进行了展望。

In linear optics, the emergence and development of artificial materials such as photonic metamaterials provide more degree of freedom to control light-matter interactions. For example, the artificial meta-atoms can be used to flexibly and effectively control the amplitude, phase and polarization of light at sub wavelength scales. Thus, some novel optical phenomena, such as superlens, negative refraction, and invisible cloak, have been achieved. By controlling the geometric phase of light and local electromagnetic enhancement in metamaterials, to achieve significant enhancement of light-matter interactions, people opens a new door for realizing nonlinear micro/nano light sources and their applications. In this review, the recent research progresses of functionalities of photonic metamaterials such as optical frequency conversion, ultrafast optical switching and modulation, and nonlinear phase control are summarized. We also overview the future applications and challenges of the nonlinear photonic metamaterials.