Fig. 2.

Characterization of LC infiltration in the metalens system. (A–C) Progression of LC (MBBA) infiltration for the metalens (1 cm diameter, glass on glass) system in parallel polarization: (A) uninfiltrated, and (B) partially infiltrated. (C) Infiltrating film progresses circumferentially throughout the structure. (D and E) LC (MBBA) infiltration for a structured substrate composed of TiO₂ pillars. The film progresses from D to E at full infiltration outward from the initial contact point without a visible wetting layer, still resulting in full infiltration. Here the same infiltrate LC leads to different wetting behavior based on the substrate properties. (F) Illustration of LC infiltration into a regular array of the metalens’ SiO₂ pillars. The wetting layer is seen preceding full infiltration. The contact angle is measured at the edge of the infiltrated film droplet. (G–I) Optical analysis of metalens central region in crossed polarization during the infiltration process: (G) uninfiltrated, (H) partially infiltrated, (I) fully infiltrated.