Thin flat lens brings optics into focus

This is the claim of researchers at the University of Utah, who believe their advance offers advantages compared to technology found in most smartphones, which require multiple lenses to form high-quality, in-focus images. The team’s findings are published in Optica.

First flat lens puts focus on light polarisation

"Our flat lenses can drastically reduce the weight, complexity and cost of cameras and other imaging systems, while increasing their functionality," said research team leader Rajesh Menon. "Such optics could enable thinner smartphone cameras, improved and smaller cameras for biomedical imaging such as endoscopy, and more compact cameras for automobiles."

The new flat lens can reportedly maintain focus for objects that are about six metres apart from each other. Flat lenses use nanostructures patterned on a flat surface rather than bulky glass or plastic to achieve the important optical properties that control light.

"This new lens could have many interesting applications outside photography such as creating highly efficient illumination for LIDAR that is critical for many autonomous systems, including self-driving cars," Menon said in a statement.