metalenses tagged posts

Modern imaging systems, such as those used in smartphones, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) devices, are constantly evolving to become more compact, efficient, and high-performing. Traditional optical systems rely on bulky glass lenses, which have limitations like chromatic aberrations, low efficiency at multiple wavelengths, and large physical sizes. These drawbacks present challenges when designing smaller, lighter systems that still produce high-quality images.

To overcome these issues, rese...

Imaging with the multispectral chiral lens forms two images of the beetle, Chrysina gloriosa, on the color camera. The left image was formed by focusing left-circularly polarized light reflected from the beetle and the right image was formed from right-circularly polarized light. The left-handed chirality of the beetle’s shell can clearly be seen. Credit: Image courtesy of the Capasso Lab/Harvard SEAS

Multifunctional lens could replace bulky, expensive machines. Many things in the natural world are geometrically chiral, ie they cannot be superimposed onto their mirror image. Think hands – right and left hands are mirror images but if you transplanted a right hand onto a left, you’d be in trouble. Certain molecules are chiral, including DNA and amino acids.

Image of optical fiber (pumped wi...