Manipulate

Dynamically Tunable Metaoptics

Our research focuses on the development of dynamic and reconfigurable metasurfaces, exploring different mechanisms to actively control their optical response.

Since the Centre was established, TMOS researchers have advanced a broad range of approaches for dynamically controlling light, spanning MEMS, phase-change materials, thermo-optic tuning, liquid crystals and electro-optic platforms. Early advances included the tunability of metasurfaces with liquid crystals, high-contrast tunable transmission in nanostructured VO₂ metasurfaces, phase-only tuning of Huygens metasurfaces and fundamental insights into electro-optic metasurface properties.

These capabilities were further developed through the realisation of tunable anisotropic electro-optic metasurfaces, three-dimensional tunable metasurfaces and electrically tunable metasurfaces using ultrafast localised heating.

A major cross-node collaboration between the Australian National University and the University of Western Australia has advanced MEMS-based tuning of metasurfaces. Key achievements include double-membrane metamaterial filters for thermal infrared applications, where adjustment of the air gap enables reversible resonance tuning, and MEMS control of quasi-bound states in the continuum for high-Q filtering, sensing and spectroscopy.

Phase-change materials (PCMs) have remained central to Manipulate research. At RMIT University and through cross-node collaborations, researchers have explored phase-change platforms for reconfigurable optics and optoelectronics. Research into the tunable optical properties of antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) have demonstrated it to be a promising candidate for low-loss, dynamically reconfigurable, high-Q photonic devices. Additionally, reconfigurable a PCM metasurfaces developed across Themes 2 and 3 has demonstrated thermally tunable image processing, including switching between edge detection and conventional imaging.

Thermo-optic tuning of dielectric metasurfaces has provided another route to dynamic optical control. Reversible thermal tuning of high-Q nonlocal lithium niobate metasurfaces has enabled precise and repeatable modulation of resonant responses, while thermo-optically tunable mid-infrared filters based on ultrathin silicon-on-sapphire metasurfaces have advanced compact infrared filtering technologies.

Another key focus within Theme 2 is tunable metasurfaces integrated with liquid crystals. The ANU team has established complementary approaches using external magnetic fields and all-optical tuning, with magnetic control extended to three dimensions. These capabilities highlight the versatility of liquid crystals for dynamic and reversible light control in reconfigurable meta-optical systems.

Optical Sensing

This research explores advanced materials, nanostructures and optical technologies for biomedical, chemical and environmental sensing applications.

Research across the Centre has investigated new materials and device architectures for sensing, including the development of nanowire array gas sensors for dynamic NO₂ monitoring and research into surface functionalisation and texturing of optical metasurfaces for sensing applications.

A major focus has been the development of technologies for biomedical sensing and non-invasive health monitoring. A key milestone in optical sensing was the development of a miniaturised near-infrared optical glucose sensor operating at 1600–1700 nm. This represents an important step towards compact, non-invasive biomedical monitoring, with the technology also protected through a patent to support future translation and commercialisation.

Significant progress has also been made in application-driven metasurfaces and hybrid optoelectronic systems. Chromatic metasurfaces enabled 3D terahertz confocal imaging, providing depth-resolved imaging without mechanical scanning. Other examples of hybrid material systems include FePS₃–MoS₂ p–n heterojunctions, which have enabled broadband, self-powered photodetection, and nanoantenna–nanopillar silicon Schottky photodetectors that achieve broadband operation with ultrawide wavelength tunability.

Building on these advances, current research is investigating 3D-printed colour-routing metasurface lenses and wavelength-selective bandpass filters to enhance optical glucose sensor sensitivity and selectivity. Researchers are also investigating liquid metal-derived two-dimensional mixed oxides for gas sensing and broadband photodetector applications, and designing and prototyping a portable multi-wavelength optical sensor for decentralised haemoglobin testing.