Moving forward with multilayer metastructures - simple design of complex optics
Abstract
I propose a simple and progressive way of designing and fabricating complex multilayered optics, even as we scale to large numbers of layers. The approach relies on successive layers of two-by-two blocks in which light only flows in the forward direction. It exploits a proposed trapezoidal architecture that can also support self-configuration in programmable structures, with the desired linear function or matrix set up using input vectors that correspond to the matrix rows, without any iteration other than successive single-parameter power maximizations. A key required component is a layer of 2 by 2 beamsplitters. The approach can support functions corresponding to a broad range of banded diagonal matrices. Example applications include a camera that also measures phase gradients and the direct convolution of a line of inputs with a kernel based on wavelets.
Related
- Static-Dynamic Correlations and Complex Spin-Wave Eigenmodes in Single- and Multilayer Diamond-Shaped Nanomagnets Without Bias Field
- Zero-forward Kerker scattering via synthesized complex-frequency excitation
- Split Complex-Valued Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Forward and Inverse Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations
- A Fully Parallel Dual-Grid Immersed-Boundary Framework for Flow-Induced Sound from Complex Moving and Deforming Bodies
- Social Norm Diffusion in Societies: Simple or Complex?
BibTeX
@misc{miller2026moving,
title = {{Moving forward with multilayer metastructures - simple design of complex optics}},
author = {David A. B. Miller},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2608.26298},
eprint = {2608.26298},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.26298},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Moving forward with multilayer metastructures - simple design of complex optics
AU - David A. B. Miller
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/28
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2608.26298
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.26298
AB - I propose a simple and progressive way of designing and fabricating complex multilayered optics, even as we scale to large numbers of layers. The approach relies on successive layers of two-by-two blocks in which light only flows in the forward direction. It exploits a proposed trapezoidal architecture that can also support self-configuration in programmable structures, with the desired linear function or matrix set up using input vectors that correspond to the matrix rows, without any iteration other than successive single-parameter power maximizations. A key required component is a layer of 2 by 2 beamsplitters. The approach can support functions corresponding to a broad range of banded diagonal matrices. Example applications include a camera that also measures phase gradients and the direct convolution of a line of inputs with a kernel based on wavelets.
ER -