Merging high localization and TE-TM polarization degeneracy of guided waves in dielectric metasurfaces

The polarization degree of freedom is an inherent feature of plane waves propagating in an isotropic homogeneous medium. The miniaturization of optical systems leads to the high localization of electromagnetic waves, but also to the loss of polarization control, namely, breaking TE-TM polarization degeneracy. In this work, we discover the near-field polarization degree of freedom for highly localized guided waves propagating along a dielectric metasurface. We demonstrate the opportunity to create a metasurface with the degenerate TE-TM polarization spectrum for the required operating wavelength and different constitutive materials. In particular, we analyze several possible implementations including silicon nitride and ceramic metasurfaces consisting of disk-shaped resonators, and evaluate the impact of substrate. Finally, we experimentally implement one of the metasurface designs and verify its broadband degenerate TE-TM polarization spectrum. The obtained results form a fundamentally new platform for the planar polarization devices utilizing the polarization degree of freedom of localized light.