Device for switchably influencing electromagnetic radiation, and method for obtaining such a device

A device for switchably influencing electromagnetic radiation, the device comprising:

• a phase change material being switchable between at least a first state and a second state, the first state and the second state having different electrical and/or magnetic properties;
• and
• an optically responsive structure in contact with the phase change material, the optically responsive structure having at least a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure, the first nanostructure being different from the second nanostructure;
• wherein the first nanostructure is being optically responsive at a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength when the phase change material is in the first state, and non-responsive at the predetermined wavelength when the phase change material is in the second state,
• wherein the second nanostructure is optically responsive at the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength when the phase change material is in the second state, and non-responsive at the predetermined wavelength when the phase change material is in the first state, and
• wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of a beam steering device, a varifocal lens, and chiral lens.

A method for obtaining a device for switchably influencing electromagnetic radiation, the method comprising:

• providing a phase change material, the phase change material being switchable between at least a first state and a second state, the first state and the second state having different electrical and/or magnetic properties;
• providing an optically responsive structure in contact with the phase change material by providing at least a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure in contact with the phase change material, such that the first nanostructure is different from the second nanostructure, and the first nanostructure is optically responsive at a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength when the phase change material is in its first state and non-responsive at the predetermined wavelength when the phase change material is in its second state, and the second nanostructure is optically responsive at the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength when the phase change material is in its second state and non-responsive at the predetermined wavelength when the phase change material is in its first state,
• wherein:
• the first nanostructure and second nanostructure have different optical functionalities, and/or
• at least two nanostructures of the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure share a same optical functionality but show different properties within this same functionality.