Space-based imaging device and method of manufacture thereof

A device for imaging light, the device comprising:

• a window for receiving incident light from a source;
• a plurality of displaceable metasurfaces;
• a plurality of wedge prisms, wherein each metasurface of the plurality of displaceable metasurfaces is paired with one wedge prism of the plurality of wedge prisms to form a Risley pair, the plurality of metasurfaces and the plurality of wedge prisms form a plurality of Risley pairs, where each Risley pair of the plurality of Risley pairs is displaced independently of the other, and where each Risley pair of the plurality of Risley pairs is operative to deflect the incident light at an angle that is different from an angle of light incident upon the Risley Pair;
• where each metasurface comprises a plurality of sub-wavelength structures that are operative to interact with the incident light received from the window;
• and
• a lens system that is operative to transmit the incident light received from each Risley pair of the plurality of Risley pairs and focus it on a focal plane.

A method of manufacturing a device for examining light sources, the method comprising:

• disposing an entry window and a focal plane at opposing ends of a tubular enclosure;
• where the entry window is operative to receive incident light from the light source;
• disposing a plurality of metasurfaces and/or wedge prisms between the entry window and the focal plane;
• where the plurality of metasurfaces each contain a plurality of sub-wavelength structures that are operative to interact with the incident light received from the windows, wherein each metasurface of the plurality of metasurfaces is paired with one wedge prism of the plurality of wedge prisms to form a Risley pair, and wherein the plurality of metasurfaces and the plurality of wedge prisms form a plurality of Risley pairs, and each pair of Risley pairs is moved independently of another Risley pair of the plurality of Risley pairs;
• contacting each of the plurality of metasurfaces and/er wedge prisms with a displacement stage that is operative to rotate at least one metasurface of the plurality of metasurfaces with respect to another metasurface;
• and
• disposing a system of lenses between the plurality of metasurfaces and/or wedge prisms and the focal plane;
• where the system of lenses is operative to focus the incident light received from the plurality of metasurfaces on the focal plane.