We presented a special class of optical devices, SOEs, which have feature size smaller than the wavelength of light and hence no non-zero order diffraction. SOEs are dramatically different from bulk optics (i.e., ray optics) and diffractive optics in a number ways. First, SOEs can perform conventional bulk optics' functions, but with a size orders of magnitude smaller than bulk optics. Second, different SOEs (hence different functions) can be made using the same materials but different nano-patterns, rather than different materials as bulk optics require. These two advantages make SOEs intrinsically suited for integration on a chip. As a third advantage, SOEs can offer new functionalities that bulk or diffractive optics do not have. The excellent properties, ultra-thin and small size, easiness of integration into devices through both horizontal and vertical means make the SOEs be of great potential for photonic applications. Furthermore, nanoimprint lithography with capabilities of sub-10 nm resolution and high throughput offers volume production of the SOEs cost-effectively.
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