How does Polkadot work?

Could you please explain to me how Polkadot functions? I'm quite interested in understanding its inner workings. Is it a blockchain platform that allows different blockchains to interoperate? If so, how does it achieve this interoperability? What are the key components of its architecture, and how do they contribute to its overall functionality? I'm also curious about its consensus mechanism. Is it based on proof-of-work or proof-of-stake? Or does it use a different approach? I'd really appreciate a detailed explanation, as I'm trying to grasp the complexities of this fascinating technology. Thank you in advance for your assistance.