Lenses

Metamaterial Based Lenses

Background

At the Optics Department of TNO Delft, a research program on the development of non conventional lenses that can beat the diffraction limit has been initiated in the last years. These components are based on optical metamaterials. These are artificially engineered structures obtained by loading standard dielectric substrates with sub-wavelength metallic and/or dielectric scattering particles. These inclusions modify the macroscopic constitutive parameters of the original material, such as permittivity and permeability, thus realizing electromagnetic properties that would otherwise not be available in nature, and hence enabling the realization of revolutionary components and subsystems. Optical metalenses, together with super-oscillatory lenses, are considered key revolutionary technologies for the development of a new generation of sensing/metrology instruments.

Project description

The objective of this project is the development of a full-dielectric metamaterial flat lens. After an overview of different concepts, the best solution for the given requirements will be selected and an accurate electromagnetic design will be performed. Material characteristics, at the chosen optical frequencies, and manufacturing tolerances, achievable with advanced manufacturing technologies, will be carefully evaluated during the design phase. The designed structure will be manufactured and tested. The analysis of the test results and the definition of possible improvements or correction actions will conclude the project.

 

Project organization

The work in this project will be conducted at the Optics Department of the TNO Delft premises and will be supervised by Prof. dr. G. Gerini. A second supervisor will be appointed from the EM group and will provide regular consultancy and support to the project.MSc Final ProjectThe manufacturing and testing of the hardware demonstrator will be carried out at TNO. The student will be exposed to a multi-disciplinary environment and will have the opportunity to discuss and co- operate also with other experts and members of the Department.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr. Giampiero Gerini; g.gerini@tue.nl