Optical bound states in the continuum (BICs) have recently stimulated a research boom, accompanied by demonstrations of abundant exotic phenomena and applications. With ultrahigh quality (Q) factors, optical BICs have powerful abilities to trap light in optical structures from the continuum of propagation waves in free space. Besides the high Q factors enabled by the confined properties, many hidden topological characteristics were discovered in optical BICs. Especially in periodic structures with well-defined wave vectors, optical BICs were discovered to carry topological charges in momentum space, underlying many unique physical properties. Both high Q factors and topological vortex configurations in momentum space enabled by BICs bring new degrees of freedom to modulate light. BICs have enabled many novel discoveries in light–matter interactions and spin–orbit interactions of light, and BIC applications in lasing and sensing have also been well explored with many advantages. In this paper, we review recent developments of optical BICs in periodic structures, including the physical mechanisms of BICs, explored effects enabled by BICs, and applications of BICs. In the outlook part, we provide a perspective on future developments for BICs.
Light-matter interaction in the context of optical trapping forms the fundamental basis for manipulating objects, enabling a plethora of exciting discoveries in many aspects of science and applications. To date, optical trapping has been explored exclusively on the interactions between electric field component of light and matter. Here we demonstrate the first magnetic optical trap in manipulating nano-objects in space. The potential created purely from magnetic component of light can selectively trap nanoparticles based on the optical magnetic susceptibility. Our work presents a new degree of freedom for studying fundamental light-matter interactions and nano-trapping and manipulation technologies.
In recent years, Meta-lens has become a new type of optical device, showing excellent performance and novel applications. The nanoantennas of meta-lens can be used to control the phase, amplitude, and polarization at well. The phase part is the most important part of the function of the meta-lens. However, so far, the phase distribution of meta-lenses has not been directly measured, which further hinders the quantitative evaluation of their performance. We have developed an interferometric imaging phase measurement system for meta-lens and meta-devices. This system can measure the phase distribution by shooting the interference pattern. The phase distribution of meta-lenses can be measured to quantitatively characterize the imaging performance. Our meta-lens phase measurement system can help for designers to optimize the design, for manufacturers to identify defects, thereby improving the manufacturing process. This work will pave the way for meta-lens in industrial applications.
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