Meta-lens based on multi-level phase-change

Given the significant progress in the field of meta-lenses over the past decade, tunable meta-lenses have garnered considerable attention for their flexible functionality. Various mechanisms have been developed to realize high-performance tunable meta-lenses, including electricity, strain, thermal effects, and materials, such as phase-change materials and liquid crystals. However, currently, most tunable meta-lenses are limited to discrete focal lengths, typically only involving two spots, and the potential of phase-change materials, such as Ge2Sb2Te5, Sb2S3, etc., has not yet been fully exploited. Here, we propose a design approach to achieve tunable meta-lenses with continuous focal length manipulation working at 1550 nm based on phase-change materials (Sb2S3). The focal length can be gradually tuned from 35 to 55 μm during the conversion process between crystalline and amorphous states. The meta-atoms are rectangular shapes of different sizes and orientations to provide certain phase compensations from propagation and Pancharatnam–Berry phases, respectively. The tunable Airy beam, Bessel beam, and deflection of the meta-lens focal spot are also demonstrated to show the universality of the proposed design. This endeavor will lay the groundwork for the design of tunable meta-devices, thereby streamlining their integration into infrared systems.