By virtue of “artificial microstructures”,multi-dimensional optical field modulation can be achieved in micro-nano optics, including the amplitude, phase, polarization, and wavefront, which significantly surpasses the modulation with natural materials. Therefore, research at the micro-nano level is considered a vital branch of optics. Micro-nano optical devices not only promote the thinning and integration of optical systems, but also significantly empower the advancement of intelligent sensing technology, which is one of the key strategical areas of national interest. Currently, micro-nano optics faces four major bottlenecks: an unclear modulation mechanism for the optical field, inaccurate cross-scale manufacturing of optical devices, low precision in optical detection, and insufficient system design capabilities, all of which have significantly limited the application of micro-nano optical devices. This research division relies on three major scientific research platforms: the MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro-Structured Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Special Artificial Microstructure Materials and Technology, and Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Digital Optics, which cover the four research directions of “efficient optical field modulation of subwavelength artificial structures,” “manufacturing and application of cross-scale micro-nano optical devices,” “multi-dimensional high-resolution micro-nano optical device microscopy” and “computational imaging theory and intelligent sensing applications.” Furthermore, four sub-directions are elaborated, namely, artificial microstructure optical field modulation, device manufacturing and application, multi-dimensional optical microscopy, and computer imaging and intelligent sensing. Accordingly, the entire chain of innovative research regarding the design mechanism, manufacturing technology, and integrated applications of micro-nano optical devices and systems has been built, overcoming the gap between micro-nano optical scientific research and great demands. The research group has become a world-class source of originality and innovation in the frontier of scientific research, as well as core technologies in micro-nano optics, empowering strategic scientific and technological strength.
