Multiplexed optical differentiator enabled by single-size nanostructured metasurface

Abstract Current optical differentiators are generally limited to realize a single differential function once fabricated. Herein, we demonstrate a multiplexed differentiator (1st- and 2nd-order differentiations) with a Malus metasurface consisting of single-sized nanostructures, which improves the functionality of optical computing devices without at the cost of complex design and nanofabrication. We experimentally verify the dual functionality of meta-differentiator and further demonstrate its multifunctional ability of simultaneous outline detection and edge positioning under the two different differentiation modes. Our study provides a paradigm for the design of multiplexed optical computing devices, which creates new opportunities for their applications in advanced medical imaging, large-scale defect detection, and high-speed pattern recognition, etc.