Optically Addressed Metasurface Spatial Light Modulator

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Abstract
Emerging demands for dynamic wavefront modulation in holographic displays, augmented/virtual reality, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) require spatial light modulators (SLMs) with high pixel density and fast refresh rates. However, key parameters of existing liquid-crystal and metasurface-based SLMs, such as spatiotemporal product density (STPD), field of view (FOV), and refresh rate, remain far below application requirements. Here, we report an optically addressed metasurface spatial light modulator (OA-MSLM), composed of independently tunable meta-atom supercells with a 756 nm pixel pitch. This device represents the first demonstration of submicron-scale 2D addressing with an STPD of 2.3 × 10¹² pixels/(s·cm²), thereby meeting the critical threshold for true holography. It enables real-time complex-amplitude holography, three-dimensional focusing, and beam steering over a ±20.6° FOV in the visible spectrum. This work establishes a scalable platform for dynamic wavefront control, paving the way for next-generation 3D display, photodetection, optical communication, and laser manufacturing technologies.