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Open research questions in Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications

203 gap statements mined from Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 2,565 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • The work does not address all possible limitations of EMI technology. The experimental validation is limited to 18×18 and 25×25 fabricated arrays.

    Inverse-synthetic-aperture-radar imaging-driven customized polarization-programmable meta-illusions enabled by spin-multiplexed single-layer metasurfaces · 2026 · DOI

  • Conventional EMI technology has limitations including narrow bandwidths and polarization inflexibility. There is a need for a revolutionary approach to generate customizable polarization-selective EMIs.

    Inverse-synthetic-aperture-radar imaging-driven customized polarization-programmable meta-illusions enabled by spin-multiplexed single-layer metasurfaces · 2026 · DOI

  • The influence of the losses of the medium is temporarily neglected to simplify the calculations. The simulations are limited to a two-dimensional (2D) case.

    A novel optical information transmission and manipulation device based on perfect supercoupling realized by multilayered nanofilm structures filled with a dielectric sheet · 2026 · DOI

  • Achieving ideal supercoupling remains challenging due to difficulties in wave impedance matching. Prior work has focused on achieving functional wave control phenomena using ENZ media, but a novel device based on perfect supercoupling realized by multilayered nanofilm structures is needed.

    A novel optical information transmission and manipulation device based on perfect supercoupling realized by multilayered nanofilm structures filled with a dielectric sheet · 2026 · DOI

  • Conventional chiro-optical techniques have limitations, such as their inability to probe spatially and angularly inhomogeneous chirality. There is a need for a comprehensive characterization of intrinsic chiro-optical behavior. The gap is addressed by the Fourier-domain Mueller matrix approach presented in this paper.

    Decoding chirality at the nanoscale with momentum-space polarimetry · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for a decoupled phase engineering strategy for Si-GSST active metasurfaces. The lack of a bifocal metalens design that utilizes Ge2Sb2Se4Te1 (GSST) as a non-volatile optical phase change material.

    A decoupled phase engineering strategy for Si-GSST active metasurfaces · 2026 · DOI

  • The study is limited to the understanding of the cavity-like modes of the silver nanowire-alumina two-dimensional HMM. The experimental measurements are limited to the characterization of the fabricated HMM sample and the coupling of the HMM to quantum emitters.

    Unraveling cavity-like modes of two-dimensional broad band hyperbolic metamaterial and their coupling to quantum emitters · 2026 · DOI

  • The understanding of the cavity-like modes of the HMM is still limited. The effective medium approach misses out on properties that can arise from the microscopic details of the HMM.

    Unraveling cavity-like modes of two-dimensional broad band hyperbolic metamaterial and their coupling to quantum emitters · 2026 · DOI

  • Realizing scalable UV-visible broadband metasurfaces remains challenging due to fabrication limitations. Conventional UV and visible metasurface materials face a compromise between refractive index and extinction coefficient.

    Extending the boundaries of ultraviolet-visible meta-optics via direct imprinting of tantalum pentoxide composite · 2026 · DOI

  • The proposed framework is limited to the design of metasurfaces for specific electromagnetic responses. The model requires a large dataset of meta-atoms for training.

    Inverse Design of Metasurface based Absorbers using Physics Guided Conditional Diffusion Models · 2026

  • Future research can focus on extending the proposed framework to design metasurfaces for other types of electromagnetic responses. The model can be improved by incorporating more advanced physics-aware regularization techniques.

    Inverse Design of Metasurface based Absorbers using Physics Guided Conditional Diffusion Models · 2026

  • The need to embed the bottom-layer nanostructures within the substrate while depositing the top-layer structures on the glass layer.

    Polarization-Tunable Multifocal Metalens Enabled by a Bilayer Metasurface with Integrated Polarization Rotation · 2026 · DOI

  • The proposed design is limited to the terahertz frequency range. The fabrication complexity of the proposed design may be a limitation. The absorption performance of the proposed design may be affected by the quality of the graphene material.

    Tunable broadband perfect absorber based on Graphene · 2026 · DOI

  • Current electromagnetic wave absorbers have limitations in terms of tunability and fabrication complexity. There is a need for a novel design that can offer high tunability and fabrication simplicity. The terahertz frequency range is of particular interest due to its potential applications.

    Tunable broadband perfect absorber based on Graphene · 2026 · DOI

  • The study suggests further research on the optimization of the geometric parameters for better performance. The study suggests further research on the application of the proposed structure for THz sensing applications.

    Numerical and circuit model analysis of a polarization-independent symmetric metamaterial exhibiting EIT for THz sensing applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies the need for a symmetric and polarization-insensitive metamaterial structure in the terahertz region. The study identifies the need for a structure that can exhibit the EIT-like effect at room temperature.

    Numerical and circuit model analysis of a polarization-independent symmetric metamaterial exhibiting EIT for THz sensing applications · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research can focus on applying the introduced framework to various wave-based systems. Further studies can investigate the limitations and potential extensions of the framework. The framework can be used to design and fabricate metasurfaces with specific functionalities.

    Revealing hidden periodicity in momentum-encoded metasurfaces · 2026 · DOI

  • Metamaterial can be viewed as composite materials. Subsequently, the effective permittivity εeff can be determined. This framework includes theories such as: temporal and spatial factor, homogenization theory, Maxwell–Garnett theory, Lord-Rayleigh approximation, and Bruggeman mixing equations.

    Theories on classical electromagnetic metamaterials · 2026 · DOI

  • The resolution is primarily limited by the fabricated metasurface dimensions. The system can accurately resolve only a specific range of phase gradients.

    Quantum phase gradient imaging using a nonlocal metasurface system · 2026 · DOI

  • The chosen InSb wafers become highly opaque at room temperature due to an increased intrinsic free-carrier density, - The quality factor of the cavity can be further enhanced.

    Realization of a chiral photonic-crystal cavity with broken time-reversal symmetry · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited scalability inherent to TPL - The need for additional polarization components is eliminated, but not the limitation itself - The metalens is designed for specific wavelengths…

    Differentiable library-based inverse design of achromatic metalens for full-color near-eye displays · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigating the use of high-index materials to further improve focusing efficiency - Exploring the application of the proposed design framework to other optical systems - Developing more advanced fabrication techniques to improve…

    Differentiable library-based inverse design of achromatic metalens for full-color near-eye displays · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigating the use of other optical phase change materials for bifocal metalens design. Improving the fabrication process to reduce material absorption, scattering, and intrinsic meta-atom transmittance limitations.

    A decoupled phase engineering strategy for Si-GSST active metasurfaces · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigating the scalability of the NIL process for large-area metasurface fabrication. Exploring the use of Ta2O5 PER for creating metasurfaces with complex architectures.

    Extending the boundaries of ultraviolet-visible meta-optics via direct imprinting of tantalum pentoxide composite · 2026 · DOI

  • Further enhancement of the quality factor of the cavity, - Exploration of the potential of the chiral cavity for probing chiral light-matter interactions in condensed matter systems.

    Realization of a chiral photonic-crystal cavity with broken time-reversal symmetry · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) There is a need for a revolutionary approach to generate customizable polarization-selective EMIs (“Inverse-synthetic-aperture-radar imaging-driven customized…”, 2026); (2) Prior work has focused on achieving functional wave control phenomena using ENZ media, but a novel device based on perfect supercoupling realized by multilayered nanofilm structures is needed (“A novel optical information transmission and manipulation device based on…”, 2026); (3) There is a need for a comprehensive characterization of intrinsic chiro-optical behavior (“Decoding chirality at the nanoscale with momentum-space polarimetry”, 2026); (4) The lack of a bifocal metalens design that utilizes Ge2Sb2Se4Te1 (GSST) as a non-volatile optical phase change material (“A decoupled phase engineering strategy for Si-GSST active metasurfaces”, 2026); (5) There is a need for a novel design that can offer high tunability and fabrication simplicity (“Tunable broadband perfect absorber based on Graphene”, 2026). 203 gap statements have been mined from Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 2,565 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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