Chirality-Free Full Decoupling of Jones Matrix Phase-Channels with a Planar Minimalist Metasurface

The complete manipulation of Jones matrix phase-channels using metasurfaces brings forth unparalleled possibilities across diverse wavefront modulation applications. Traditionally, achieving independent control over all four phase-channels usually involves the introduction of chirality with multilayer or three-dimensional metasurfaces. Here, we present a general chirality-free method that relies on polarization base transformation with a planar minimalist metasurface, effectively decoupling the four Jones matrix phase-channels, thereby unleashing the fundamental boundaries imposed by conventional linear or circular polarization bases. To achieve independent wavefront modulation across these four channels, we employ an inverse design methodology leveraging a gradient descent algorithm. Remarkably, our strategy enables four channel wavefront modulations with only three control degrees of freedom within the minimalist meta-structures. As a proof-of-concept, we experimentally project four far-field holographic images, each corresponding to one of the four phase-channels, holding promises for various applications such as augmented/virtual reality display, information encryption, optical communication and data storage.