July 20, 2026 -- An interactively addressable organic metadevice brings pixel-level programmability to visible-light metasurfaces. This opens up new perspectives for adaptive optical technologies for imaging, communication, sensing or wearable photonics. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-75757-4

Metasurfaces are ultrathin optical components engineered with arrays of nanoscale structures that can control light in ways that are difficult for conventional optics. Unlike traditional optical components, which typically rely on their shape and thickness, metasurfaces manipulate light using carefully designed nanostructures patterned on a flat surface.

“Active metasurfaces are extending the capabilities of flat optics by enabling optical functions to be dynamically reconfigured“, says Prof. Laura Na Liu, Director of the 2nd Physics Institute at the University of Stuttgart. “To tap into this potential, we need to learn how to address individual pixels within a two-dimensional metasurface at visible wavelengths.”

Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have now developed an interactively addressable organic metadevice that uses electrically switchable organic materials to dynamically control light. The new platform enables every metasurface pixel to be electronically controlled independently, allowing user commands to be translated directly into dynamic holographic images. The work advances active metasurfaces towards programmable optical technologies. It was published in the journal Nature Communications.

From static functionality to programmable metasurfaces

Over the past decade, metasurfaces have transformed flat optics by enabling precise control of light using arrays of nanoscale structures. While numerous approaches have introduced active optical tuning, most metasurface devices still perform predefined optical functions with only limited independent pixel control.

The Stuttgart researchers’ aim was to realize a truly programmable metasurface. To achieve this, they integrated plasmonic gold nanoantennas with ultrathin electrochemically active conducting polymers. Combined with a planar electronic fan-out architecture, each metasurface pixel can be switched independently using sub-volt electrical signals with millisecond response times while maintaining negligible electrical crosstalk. The resulting platform enables optical functionality to be updated dynamically through electronic control at the level of individual pixels.

“Independent addressability is the foundation of every programmable technology“, says Laura Na Liu. “Future metasurfaces will follow the same principle. By giving every optical pixel its own electronic address, we transform metasurfaces from predefined optical components into programmable photonic platforms capable of adapting their functionality in real time.“

Closing the loop between users and light

To demonstrate the capabilities of the platform, the researchers integrated the metadevice into a complete electronic control system. Commands entered through a computer keyboard were immediately converted into holographically projected letters and numbers. In a second demonstration, a handheld game controller enabled users to play holographic versions of classic games, including Snake and a Tetris-inspired block-falling game. Rather than displaying predetermined optical patterns, the holographic scene continuously evolved in response to user actions, establishing a direct interaction loop between users, electronics and light.

“Each pixel had to switch rapidly while remaining electrically isolated from its neighbours”, explains Dr. Xiangyu Huang, first author of the study. “Seeing holographic images respond instantly to user input was an exciting moment because it demonstrated that individually addressable metasurfaces can become genuinely interactive optical devices.“

Towards programmable active metasurfaces

Unlike conventional optical components whose functionality is largely defined during fabrication, the same metadevice can perform different optical tasks simply by changing the electronic driving signals. This programmable operation allows a single optical platform to support multiple dynamic functions without changing its physical structure.

The researchers believe that the concept extends well beyond the holographic demonstrations presented in the study. As larger pixel arrays, improved conducting polymers and more sophisticated electronic control systems become available, independently addressable metasurfaces could enable increasingly powerful adaptive optical technologies for imaging, communication, sensing and wearable photonics.

“This work represents an important step towards programmable active metasurfaces”, says Laura Na Liu. “As independently addressable optical pixels become increasingly scalable, we expect entirely new opportunities for dynamic optical technologies at the interface of nanophotonics, electronics and intelligent control.“