Journal Article

Polarization‐Controlled Dual‐Programmable Metasurfaces

Bai, Lin, Sun, Ya Lun, Yu, Qian, Jiang, Wei Xiang, Qiu, Cheng‐Wei, Wang, Qiang, Zhang, Xin Ge, Cui, Tie Jun

2020

Overview

Programmable metasurfaces allow dynamic and real‐time control of electromagnetic (EM) waves in subwavelength resolution, holding extraordinary potentials to establish meta‐systems. Achieving independent and real‐time controls of orthogonally‐polarized EM waves via the programmable metasurface is attractive for many applications, but remains considerably challenging. Here, a polarization‐controlled dual‐programmable metasurface (PDPM) with modular control circuits is proposed, which enables a dibit encoding capability in modifying the phase profiles of x‐ and y‐polarized waves individually. The constructed extended interface circuit is able to extend the number of control interfaces from a field programmable gate array by orders of magnitude and also possesses memory function, which enhance hugely the rewritability, scalability, reliability, and stability of PDPM. As a proof‐of‐concept, a wave‐based exclusive‐OR logic gate platform for spin control of circularly‐polarized waves, a fixed‐frequency wide‐angle dual‐beam scanning system, and a dual‐polarized shared‐aperture antenna are demonstrated using a single PDPM. The proposed PDPM opens up avenues for realizing more advanced and integrated multifunctional devices and systems that have two independent polarization‐controlled signal channels, which may find many applications in future‐oriented intelligent communication, imaging, and computing technologies. A polarization‐controlled dual‐programmable metasurface that can independently control orthogonally‐polarized microwaves in real time is proposed and realized experimentally. The dual‐programmable metasurface can achieve a lot of independent control channels via only one field‐programmable gate array based on the designed extensional interface circuit, thus providing attractive functions, including wave‐based exclusive‐OR logic operation for spin control, wide‐angle dual‐beam scanning, and dual‐polarized aperture sharing.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,Wiley
• Subject: beam controls / Bias / Circuits / Communication / Communications / Copper / Design / digital logic platforms / dual‐programmable metasurfaces / Field programmable gate arrays / Information processing / Interfaces / modular control circuits / orthogonally‐polarized electromagnetic waves / Real time