Compound polarized wavelength filters with a single subwavelength structure

A novel dual functional device that combines functions of polarizing and bandpass filtering together using a single subwavelength structure is proposed. Characteristics of both wavelength filtering and polarizing in the visible wavelength range with two different multi-layer subwavelength structures are investigated. It is found that both filtering and polarizing functions can be realized simultaneously by appropriate design of the substrate, a dielectric layer and a metallic layer system. Dependence of tunable filtering central wavelength on the properties of layered materials and structural dimensions are discussed in detail. Typical optimized multilayer structural parameters are obtained, in which ~ 75% passband transmission with > 30 dB polarization extinction ratio have been achieved simultaneously for three primary color (red, green and blue) filters. The results open new possibilities in designing and fabricating novel multi-functional polarizing and filtering photonic devices using a single subwavelength structure.