Coherent retroreflective metasurfaces

Abstract

Inhomogeneous metasurfaces have shown possibilities for unprecedented control of wave propagation and scattering. While it is conventional to shine a single incident plane wave from one side of these metastructures, illuminating by several waves simultaneously from both sides may enhance possibilities to control scattered waves, which results in additional functionalities and novel applications. Here, we unveil how by using coherent plane-wave illumination of a properly designed inhomogeneous metasurface sheet it is possible to realize controllable retroreflection. We call these metasurfaces “coherent retroreflectors” and explain the method for realizing them both in theory and in practice. We show that coherent retroreflectors can be used for filtering undesired modes and creation of field-localization regions in waveguides. The latter application is in resemblance to bound states in the radiation continuum.