US 11,029,529 B2 · Subwavelength structured lens having moire pattern, use and methods of making the same

Abstract

The present inventions is related to the optical lenses that use subwavelength structures to perform an optical function, the applications of such lenses, and the methods of making the same. Particularly, the present invention provide an optical lens(es), termed “subwavelength Moiré index lens” or “SMIL” for manipulating light. The SMIL comprises a thin material layer having an effective optical index that has a Moiré pattern of two or more periodic structures. The SMIL allows a lens to be ultrathin, flat, numerical aperture nearly one, scalable to large area, and manufacturable at low cost. The present invention also provides the systems based on SMIL, such lens systems, LEDs and photodetectors, and the fabrication methods of the SMIL.

Claims52

Dependent claims

An optical device for manipulating light comprising:

a thin material layer that has an effective optical index which has a Moiré pattern of two or more periodic structures;
wherein the effective optical index at the lateral location of the material layer is an integral of the optical index of the material over the thickness of the material layer at the location;
wherein the Moiré pattern is the pattern formed by superimposing the periodic structures;
wherein at least one of the periodic structures has a period less than the wavelength of the light;
wherein the material layer manipulates an optical property of the light that goes through the material layer,
wherein the material layer manipulates light as a single lens or an array of lenses in the material layer, and
wherein the material layer has a constant surface topology, but an optical index in the material layer that has a Moiré pattern.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Subwavelength structured lens having moire pattern, use and methods of making the same

Life of this patent

Subwavelength structured lens having moire pattern, use and methods of making the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52