Metasurface doublet lens has a sharp 60° × 60° field of view

Dec. 28, 2016
f/0.9 flat lens is corrected for monochromatic aberrations at 850 nm.

Engineers at Caltech (Pasadena, CA) have developed flat optical doublet lenses that can be easily mass-produced and integrated with image sensors, paving the way for cheaper and lighter cameras in electronic devices.1

The technology relies on stacking two metasurfaces. In this case, the metasurfaces are dotted with silicon cylinders 600 nm tall and with varying diameters in the hundreds of nanometers. Each metasurface has tens of millions of these posts. The resulting f/0.9 lens is corrected for monochromatic aberrations at 850 nm and has an efficiency of 70%.

Depending on their structure, metasurface singlets often have aberrations that include field curvature; as in traditional glass doublets, these aberrations can be compensated in a metasurface doublet design, especially when a monochromatic design is used.

The Caltech team plans to integrate these lenses into miniaturized cameras and microscopes, and extend their functionality and spectral bandwidth.

Source: https://www.caltech.edu/news/future-flat-lenses-53375

REFERENCE:

1. Amir Arbabi et al., Nature Communications (2106); doi: 10.1038/ncomms13682

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.

Sponsored Recommendations

Melles Griot® XPLAN™ CCG Lens Series

March 19, 2024
IDEX Health & Science sets a new standard with our Melles Griot® XPLAN™ CCG Lens Series fluorescence microscope imaging systems. Access superior-quality optics with off-the-shelf...

Spatial Biology

March 19, 2024
Spatial Biology refers to the field that integrates spatial information into biological research, allowing for the study of biological systems in their native spatial context....

Custom-Engineered Optical Solutions for Your Application

March 19, 2024
We combine advanced optical design and manufacturing technology, with decades of experience in critical applications, to take you from first designs to ongoing marketplace success...

Semrock Optical Filters Resources

March 19, 2024
Looking for more information about Semrock optical filters? Explore sets by fluorophore, download the 2023 Semrock catalog and more.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!