Integrated Metasurfaces with Microprints and Helicity‐Multiplexed Holograms for Real‐Time Optical Encryption

Abstract Optical encryption with multichannel, high complexity, and artistry characteristics has become one of the most significant approaches for modern information security. Recently emerged metasurface‐based optics consisting of planar subwavelength metamaterials has been engineered as an ideal platform for optical encryption because of its capability of manipulating various optical parameters and enhancing information storage capacity. However, limited encrypted channels and insufficient real‐time encryption abilities hinder its practical applications. A novel integrated metasurface is proposed, which can regulate the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light wave simultaneously to realize the combination of microprint and helicity‐multiplexed meta‐holography with negligible crosstalk. By encoding an online editable quick response code into the microprint as a keystore, an optical encryption device is demonstrated with 2⁶‐1 storage capacity endowed by wavelength‐ and helicity‐dependent hologram images that can be employed in real time. The integration scheme enables multidimensional information storage and real‐time encryption and decryption capability, which provides an approachable way for the practical application of metasurface devices in the field of optical encryption.