Advanced Photonics, Volume. 7, Issue 3, 034005(2025)
Deep learning in metasurfaces: from automated design to adaptive metadevices
Fig. 1. Architecture of intelligent metasurfaces. Tunable metasurfaces are the physical foundation, and deep learning is the internal driving force. With both, intelligent metasurfaces can enable a myriad of adaptive applications without human intervention.
Fig. 2. Deep-learning-based metasurface design methods. (a) A traditional forward design MLP for the spectrum prediction of nanoparticles. (b) A CNN model for inverse design with customized field distributions. Two different kernel sizes can transit two different inputs to the same output shape. (c) A recurrent neural network is used to find the required series of optical responses based on the features extracted from the input nanostructure. (d) A recursive neural network that can deal with structural inputs,
Fig. 3. Specialized algorithms in metasurface design fields. (a) Illustration of a tandem neural network, setting the EM responses as the inputs and outputs while the metasurface design serves as the middle layer. (b) Demonstration of the generation-elimination framework, from a semi-known design to an optimal solution. (c) Knowledge-inherited paradigm for a metasurface inverse design. Only the SNN network should be rebuilt, and the INN related to each child’s metasurface can be inherited. (d) Two types of physics integrated algorithms: analytical model-assisted and physical adversarial networks. The right-top loss component illustrates how numerical calculation error in PDE functions or boundary conditions (BCs) helps the efficient optimization of analytical models in the same way as normal training loss. The right-bottom physical disconfirmation, which occurs when putting the network output into the principals, helps generate adversary channels to enhance scientificity and rationality.
Fig. 4. Intelligent metasurfaces for invisibility cloaks and wireless communication. (a) Timeline of invisibility cloaks. (b) Schematic illustration of intelligent self-adaptive metadevices integrated with perception-decision-execution.3 (c) Deep-learning-assisted self-adaptive microwave cloak. (d) Photograph of the intelligent invisible drone.154 (e) Simulation results of cloaked/bare drone. Panel (c) is adapted with permission from Ref. 3, Springer Nature Limited. Panels (d) and (e) are adapted with permission from Ref. 154.
Fig. 5. Intelligent-metasurface-based adaptive metadevices. (a) The concept of RIS-assisted wireless communication. (b) Schematic illustration of the metasurface-based dual-channel wireless communication system. (c) A metalens for augmented reality. (d) Schematic illustration of deep-learning-based metasurface holograms. (e) Neuro-metamaterials-based object recognition system. (f) Schematic illustration of the metasurface-based LiDAR system.
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Yasir Saifullah, Nanxuan Wu, Huaping Wang, Bin Zheng, Chao Qian, Hongsheng Chen, "Deep learning in metasurfaces: from automated design to adaptive metadevices," Adv. Photon. 7, 034005 (2025)
Category: Reviews
Received: Jan. 6, 2025
Accepted: May. 6, 2025
Posted: May. 6, 2025
Published Online: Jun. 13, 2025
The Author Email: Chao Qian (chaoq@intl.zju.edu.cn), Hongsheng Chen (hansomchen@zju.edu.cn)