Revisiting the Design Strategies for Metasurfaces: Fundamental Physics, Optimization, and Beyond

Abstract Over the last two decades, the capabilities of metasurfaces in light modulation with subwavelength thickness have been proven, and metasurfaces are expected to miniaturize conventional optical components and add various functionalities. Herein, various metasurface design strategies are reviewed thoroughly. First, the scalar diffraction theory is revisited to provide the basic principle of light propagation. Then, widely used design methods based on the unit‐cell approach are discussed. The methods include a set of simplified steps, including the phase‐map retrieval and meta‐atom unit‐cell design. Then, recently emerging metasurfaces that may not be accurately designed using unit‐cell approach are introduced. Unconventional metasurfaces are examined where the conventional design methods fail and finally potential design methods for such metasurfaces are discussed.