Start of METAPIC project building metasurface pixels

Together with collaborators, AMOLF group leader Femius Koenderink has received funding for the METAPIC project from the Photon Delta call of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).  

Research goal 

The researchers involved in the METAPIC project work on technology that can shape light extremely fast and with high precision. Their goal is to build tiny surfaces, so-called metasurface pixels, that can sit on a single chip and quickly change how they direct light. Each metasurface pixel receives light from waveguides on the chip, and these waveguides can adjust the brightness and phase of the light at very high speed. 

To make this fast and efficient modulation of metasurfaces through integrated photonic circuits possible the researchers will combine new electro-optic materials with waveguides that lose as little light as possible. Together with industry partners like Rapid Photonics and PlanOPSim, they aim to create a low-loss and scalable system for dynamic control of light. This technology could have an impact on fields such as measurement science, LiDAR, adaptive optics and VR/AR. 

Femius is pleased with the launch of the project. He says: “The exciting vision behind METAPIC is led by Imran Avci, an expert in photonic integration at VU Amsterdam. We have had the pleasure of hosting Imran at AMOLF on a weekly basis, which has led to this joint research program. Together, we will push the technology readiness level of metasurfaces by integrating them with photonic circuits and electro-optic modulation.” 

Read more about research activities in the Resonant Nanophotonics group of Femius Koenderink.