Merging phase-change and metamaterial concepts for novel devices to control and manipulate light

Abstract

Phase-change materials (PCMs) are used very successfully for optical and electrical memories. Such success arises due to large electro-optical contrast between their amorphous and crystalline states, non-volatility, fast switching and large cycling endurance. These same properties can also be exploited to deliver a form of active dielectric, which, combined with metamaterials concepts, leads to novel devices for the control of light: LiDAR, displays, holography, imaging, sensing, photonic computing and more. Here we discuss development of some of these novel devices.