Experimental optics setup

Research

Research scope of Meta-Active in second funding phase
Experimental optics setup
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Research focus of Meta-Active

Metasurfaces composed of designed nanoscale, subwavelength optical elements ("meta-atoms") arranged in a plane have been established as a versatile and efficient platform for controlling the properties of light fields, including their wavefront, polarization, and spectral properties. However, most metasurfaces realized so far were passive and linear; their optical response was permanently encoded into the structure already during fabrication.

Schematic picture of optical metasurfaces with the functions of generating, programming and detecting light

Image: Isabelle Staude

In the framework of the International Research Training Group (IRTG) 2675 "Meta-Active", we will create and investigate active metasurfaces, which emit, detect and dynamically manipulate light, making use of the capability of their resonant meta-atoms to enhance the interaction of light with nanoscale matter. By combining the nanoantenna effect of the individual meta-atoms with the additional degrees of freedom offered by the arrangement, metasurfaces provide opportunities for tailoring light-matter interactions far exceeding the respective capabilities of individual nanoantennas. This scientific vision will lay the foundations for new types of high-performance (quantum) light sources, programmable optical systems, and enhanced detectors based on the metasurface concept.

The research program is structured into three main pillars with several research projects in each one. Each project will be led by two project investigators (PIs) with complementary expertise, one from Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) and one from Australian National University Canberra (ANU) to define new and innovative research approaches.

Artist’s impression of a light-emitting metasurface

Image: Isabelle Staude

Pillar A: Light-emitting metasurfaces

This pillar focuses on the development of metasurfaces that actively generate, manipulate, and enhance light and quantum states of light. Research activities span lasing metasurfaces, nonlinear quantum-light sources, quantum emitters, and advanced photonic materials with tailored optical responses. The projects aim to establish new mechanisms for controlling coherence, emission directionality, photon-pair generation, and light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. Experimental efforts in nanofabrication, semiconductor growth, and optical characterization are closely integrated with theoretical modelling and numerical design methods. The overall goal is to create compact photonic platforms that combine active functionality with precise control of classical and quantum optical properties.

  • Projects in Pillar A

    A1 – Lasing Metasurfaces with Spatially Tailored Output Fields

    Involved PIs: Staude (FSU), Fu (ANU), Peschel (FSU), Tan (ANU), Jagadish (ANU)

    A2 – Nonlinear Metasurfaces for Photon-Pair State Generation

    Involved PIs: Setzpfandt (FSU), Sukhorukov (ANU), Staude (FSU), Lu (ANU), Soavi (FSU)

    A3 – Enhancement of Quantum Emitters in GaN/AlN Metasurfaces

    Involved PIs: Ronning (FSU), Choi (ANU), Tan (ANU), Ahlefeldt (ANU)

    A4 – Spatial-Temporal Far-Field and Coherence Tailoring of Lasing Metasurfaces

    Involved PIs: Peschel (FSU), Sukhorukov (ANU), Smirnova (ANU)

    A5 – Metasurfaces with Tailored Linear and Nonlinear Susceptibility Tensors Based on High-Contrast Nanolaminates

    Involved PIs: Szeghalmi (FSU/IOF), Choi (ANU), Neshev (ANU), Eilenberger (FSU), Setzpfandt (FSU), Ahlefeldt (ANU)

Pillar B: Programmable metasurfaces

This pillar investigates dynamic and reconfigurable metasurfaces that respond to external stimuli such as electric fields, magnetic fields, light, phase transitions, or strong optical excitation. The research combines liquid-crystal-integrated metasurfaces, phase-change materials, layered semiconductors, exciton-polariton systems, and nonlinear optical materials to achieve active control over wavefronts, polarization, chirality, beam steering, and light–matter coupling. A major objective is to establish metasurfaces as programmable optical platforms capable of real-time adaptation and multifunctional operation. The projects address both fundamental questions in nonlinear and non-Hermitian photonics and the development of enabling materials and scalable fabrication approaches for future adaptive photonic technologies. 

  • Projects in Pillar B

    B1 – Programmable Dielectric Metasurfaces Based on Hybridization with Liquid Crystals

    Involved PIs: Staude (FSU), Izdebskaya (ANU), Shadrivov (ANU), Eilenberger (FSU), Choi (ANU)

    B2 – Tunable Polaritonics in Atomically Thin Semiconductors Integrated with Photonic Metasurfaces

    Involved PIs: Fedorova (FSU), Ostrovskaya (ANU), Staude (FSU), Eilenberger (FSU), Choi (ANU)

    B3 – All-Optical Tuning of Nonlinear Chiral Emission from Monolithic Metasurfaces Based on Layered Materials

    Involved PIs: Soavi (FSU), Neshev (ANU), Lu (ANU), Yin (ANU), Staude (FSU)

    B4 – Exciton-Polariton Condensates in Metasurfaces with Modified Dispersion Relations and Exceptional Points

    Involved PIs: Peschel (FSU), Ostrovskaya (ANU), Smirnova (ANU)

    B5 – Direct Printing of Large-Scale High-Index Metasurfaces for Photo-Switchable Beam Steering

    • Involved PIs: Huang (Leibniz IPHT), Tan (ANU), Choi (ANU), Cole (ANU), Shadrivov (ANU), Jagadish (ANU)

Pillar C: Metasystems and Applications

This pillar explores how metasurfaces can be integrated into complex optical systems to enable new functionalities in imaging, sensing, communication, and scientific instrumentation. Research activities include quantum imaging, EUV meta-optics, multilayer metasystems with engineered dispersion, reconfigurable light-emitting metasystems, and large-area metasurfaces for space and astronomy. The projects investigate both fundamental optical concepts and application-oriented system architectures, combining advanced nanofabrication, optical modelling, and experimental characterization. The overarching goal is to develop compact, highly functional optical systems that outperform conventional optics through unprecedented control of spatial, temporal, spectral, and quantum properties of light.

  • Projects in Pillar C

    C1 – Switchable Light-Emitting and Lasing Metasystems Based on Phase-Change Materials

    Involved PIs: Ronning (FSU), Tan (ANU), Fu (ANU), Choi (ANU), Huang (FSU), Cole (ANU)

    C2 – Membrane Metasurfaces for EUV Beam Shaping Applications

    Involved PIs: Pertsch (FSU), Kluth (ANU), Neshev (ANU), Choi (ANU)

    C3 – Metasurface-Enabled Quantum Polarization Imaging and Object Discrimination

    Involved PIs: Setzpfandt (FSU), Sukhorukov (ANU), Pertsch (FSU), Neshev (ANU)

    C4 – Multilayer Metasystems for Enhanced Spatial and Temporal Dispersion Control

    Involved PIs: Pertsch (FSU), Neshev (ANU), Sukhorukov (ANU), Staude (FSU), Kluth (ANU)

    C5 – Metasurfaces for Space and Astronomy

    Involved PIs: Eilenberger (Fraunhofer IOF), Sharp (ANU), Sukhorukov (ANU), Cole (ANU)

The research projects from the IRTG’s first funding period laid the foundation for the current phase and continue to influence its scientific direction. Find them at the link below: