Gold-polymer hybrid metasurface for polarization-independent enhanced third harmonic generation in the ultraviolet

Gold-polymer hybrid metasurface for polarization-independent enhanced third harmonic generation in the ultraviolet | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Gold-polymer hybrid metasurface for polarization-independent enhanced third harmonic generation in the ultraviolet Shroddha Mukhopadhyay, Ana Conde-Rubio, Jose Trull, Agustin Mihi, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7723002/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of nonlinear light-matter interactions in a three-dimensional gold-polymer hybrid metasurface. In contrast to conventional two-dimensional designs, which by symmetry may support either transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) polarization, our volumetric architecture accepts both TE and TM modes simultaneously, reflecting the dimensionality and versatility required by the photonic devices. The metasurface comprises a periodic lattice of gold nanostructures embedded in a dielectric polymer matrix, creating complex metal–dielectric interfaces that sustain tightly confined plasmonic resonances. When driven by ultrafast near-infrared pulses, these resonances concentrate optical energy at the nanoscale, enabling efficient third-harmonic generation and upconversion of visible light into the ultraviolet (UV) and deep-UV regimes with enhanced conversion efficiency. We perform spatial and temporal mapping of the nonlinear response under both TE and TM excitation. Our measurements reveal polarization-agnostic field enhancement and spectral tunability arising from the three-dimensional morphology—capabilities unattainable in planar metasurfaces, where two-dimensional symmetry inherently limits polarization flexibility and functional bandwidth. This 3D platform provides a flexible design toolbox for polarization-independent UV and deep-UV light sources. Potential applications include high-resolution UV spectroscopy, optical multiplexing, data storage, and emerging quantum photonic architectures. By establishing fundamental insights into three-dimensional nonlinear metasurface behavior, our work paves the way for next-generation reconfigurable, multi-polarization nanophotonic devices. Physical sciences/Materials science Physical sciences/Nanoscience and technology Physical sciences/Optics and photonics Physical sciences/Physics Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Supplement1.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 29 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 26 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 23 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 18 Dec, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 29 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 28 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 26 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7723002","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":562372312,"identity":"831ac598-61ef-4574-80cf-2ffa59434405","order_by":0,"name":"Shroddha 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