An optic to replace space and its application towards ultra-thin imaging systems
Autor: | Michael P. DelMastro, Katherine K. M. Bearne, Robert W. Boyd, Lambert Giner, Orad Reshef, Ali H. Alhulaymi, Jeff S. Lundeen |
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Rok vydání: | 2020 |
Předmět: |
Image formation
Multidisciplinary Spectrometer business.industry Computer science Science General Physics and Astronomy FOS: Physical sciences Imaging and sensing 02 engineering and technology General Chemistry 021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology Space (mathematics) 01 natural sciences General Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology Article Optics Metamaterials 0103 physical sciences 010306 general physics 0210 nano-technology business Optics (physics.optics) Physics - Optics |
Zdroj: | Nature Communications Nature Communications, Vol 12, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2021) |
ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
Popis: | Centuries of effort to improve imaging has focused on perfecting and combining lenses to obtain better optical performance and new functionalities. The arrival of nanotechnology has brought to this effort engineered surfaces called metalenses, which promise to make imaging devices more compact. However, unaddressed by this promise is the space between the lenses, which is crucial for image formation but takes up by far the most room in imaging systems. Here, we address this issue by presenting the concept of and experimentally demonstrating an optical 'spaceplate', an optic that effectively propagates light for a distance that can be considerably longer than the plate thickness. Such an optic would shrink future imaging systems, opening the possibility for ultra-thin monolithic cameras. More broadly, a spaceplate can be applied to miniaturize important devices that implicitly manipulate the spatial profile of light, for example, solar concentrators, collimators for light sources, integrated optical components, and spectrometers. 4 figures, 3 videos, includes complete SI |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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