New Meta-Lenses Could Change The Way World Sees
A team of researchers from the Harvard University have designed an ultra-thin meta-lenses that could revolutionize each form of optics, including microscopes and contact lenses. The relatively new type of flat lenses can replace the curved glass optics that are currently used in almost all types of imaging appliances.
According to the researchers, the new discovery is particularly revolutionizing because of its ability to work in the visible spectrum. That is, it has the capability to replace all forms of lenses in a wide variety of devices, including microscopes, cell phone display, television display and cameras.
The planar lens developed by Harvard professor and researcher Federico Capasso makes use of titanium dioxide-based array of nanostructures to process the images of objects smaller than all currently available microscopes.
The titanium dioxide is the same chemical used in a variety of applications and across several industries, including foods, skin care and paints. The chemical was specifically chosen by the researchers because of its capacity to process light and its ubiquity.
The team required a material that could confine light with high refractive index. In addition, they wanted to use a material that was already in use in the industry to make the new project scalable.
The meta-lense developed by the researchers has greater focusing power than any other traditional lense available in the market. In addition, it is just a fraction of a millimeter in thickness and provides a great resolution.
According to the researchers, the meta-lense reduces weight and volume. The shrunk form of lense has a thickness less than the size of a paper. The team believes that their innovation is a breakthrough in the field of optics because of ease of manufacturing and reduced costs. That is, factories can easily manufacture this form of high-resolution lenses in comparatively less cost.
The complete details of the new technology have been published in the journal Science.
