Performing Mathematical Operations with Metamaterials
Abstract
We introduce the concept of metamaterial analog computing, based on suitably designed metamaterial blocks that can perform mathematical operations (such as spatial differentiation, integration, or convolution) on the profile of an impinging wave as it propagates through these blocks. Two approaches are presented to achieve such functionality: (i) subwavelength structured metascreens combined with graded-index waveguides and (ii) multilayered slabs designed to achieve a desired spatial Green's function. Both techniques offer the possibility of miniaturized, potentially integrable, wave-based computing systems that are thinner than conventional lens-based optical signal and data processors by several orders of magnitude.
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Metasurfaces exhibit extraordinary properties that do not exist in natural materials, such as negative refractive index, perfect absorption, and anomalous reflection/refraction patterns.
“By manipulating the EM waves to an unprecedented degree, the metasurfaces exhibit extraordinary properties that do not exist in natural materials, such as negative refractive index, perfect absorption, and anomalous reflection/refraction patterns [5], [6].”
From Emerging Technologies in Intelligent Metasurfaces: Shaping the Future of Wireless Communications (2026) · cites this paper as [6]
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Coding Metamaterials, Digital Metamaterials and Programmable Metamaterials
Cui, T. J., Qi, M. Q., Wan, X., Zhao, J., & Cheng, Q. (2014) · Light: Science & Applications · doi:10.1038/lsa.2014.99 · Cited by 3,801 · see citing works
Smart radio environments empowered by reconfigurable AI meta-surfaces: an idea whose time has come
Renzo, M. D., Debbah, M., Phan-Huy, D.-T., Zappone, A., Alouini, M.-S., Yuen, C., Sciancalepore, V., Alexandropoulos, G. C., Hoydis, J., Gacanin, H., et al. (2019) · EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking · doi:10.1186/s13638-019-1438-9 · Cited by 1,717 · see citing works
Toward Smart Wireless Communications via Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces: A Contemporary Survey
Gong, S., Lu, X., Hoang, D. T., Niyato, D., Shu, L., Kim, D. I., & Liang, Y.-C. (2020) · IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials · doi:10.1109/comst.2020.3004197 · Cited by 1,035 · see citing works
Roadmap for Optical Metasurfaces
Kuznetsov, A. I., Brongersma, M. L., Yao, J., Chen, M. K., Levy, U., Tsai, D. P., Zheludev, N. I., Faraon, A., Arbabi, A., Yu, N., et al. (2024) · ACS Photonics · doi:10.1021/acsphotonics.3c00457 · Cited by 420 · see citing works
Self-citationMetasurface-enabled on-chip multiplexed diffractive neural networks in the visible
Luo, X., Hu, Y., Ou, X., Li, X., Lai, J., Liu, N., Cheng, X., Pan, A., & Duan, H. (2022) · Light: Science & Applications · doi:10.1038/s41377-022-00844-2 · Cited by 335 · see citing works
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Two-Dimensional Direction-of-Arrival Estimation Using Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces
An, J., Yuen, C., Guan, Y. L., Renzo, M. D., Debbah, M., Poor, H. V., & Hanzo, L. (2024) · IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications · doi:10.1109/jsac.2024.3414613 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Emerging Technologies in Intelligent Metasurfaces: Shaping the Future of Wireless Communications
An, J., Debbah, M., Cui, T. J., Chen, Z. N., & Yuen, C. (2026) · IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation · doi:10.1109/tap.2025.3571069 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
“By manipulating the EM waves to an unprecedented degree, the metasurfaces exhibit extraordinary properties that do not exist in natural materials, such as negative refractive index, perfect absorption, and anomalous reflection / refraction patterns [5], [6].”
Emerging Technologies in Intelligent Metasurfaces: Shaping the Future of Wireless Communications
An, J., Debbah, M., Cui, T. J., Chen, Z. N., & Yuen, C. (2024) · arXiv · Cited by 72 · see citing works
“By manipulating the EM waves to an unprecedented degree, the metasurfaces exhibit extraordinary properties that do not exist in natural materials, such as negative refractive index, perfect absorption, and anomalous reflection / refraction patterns [5], [6].”
- Authors
- Silva, A., Monticone, F., Castaldi, G., Galdi, V., Alù, A., & Engheta, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- University of Sannio (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Silva, Alexandre
- Monticone, Francesco
- Engheta, Nader
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2014-01-10
- Volume
- 343
- Issue
- 6167
- Pages
- 160-163
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2077151136
- Cited by
- 1,136
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 100 · 2025: 112 · 2024: 133 · 2023: 114 · 2022: 114 · 2021: 99 · 2020: 95 · 2019: 97 · 2018: 62 · 2017: 60 · 2016: 63 · 2015: 56 · 2014: 29
- FWCI
- 23.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials › Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Advanced Antenna and Metasurface Technologies
- Keywords
- spatial differentiation, spatial integration, convolution, graded-index waveguides, Green's function, optical signal processing, optical information processing, subwavelength structures
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