NATURE — Metalenses have emerged as promising optics, and researchers at Samsung Electronics and POSTECH have made a major breakthrough in this area, publishing their research in Nature Communications. We are able to demonstrate a two-thirds wavelength phase-delay phase-matched metalens for the first time, representing a new high-water mark for optical implementations in a joint industry–academia project.
The work, which was initiated by Dr. Jeong-Geun Yun from Samsung Research and Professor Junsuk Rho from POSTECH and co-first authored by Hyunjung Kang, brings metalens technology from the realm of the conceptual to the practical. While still in its infancy, the company took a comprehensive strategy— from conception through implementation and validation— to drive the capabilities of advanced photonic platforms and new avenues for product differentiation across its portfolio.
Metalens technology provides a means to substitute conventional thick curved lenses for ultra-thin planar lenses composed of nanostructures smaller than a human hair. They can precisely control light at dimensions that are thinner, lighter, and more durable. By massively lowering the aspect ratio of the nanostructure from the industrial standard 1:10 to around 1:5, this research tackles persistent obstacles to the commercialization of metalenses, making production easier and enhancing stability.
Instead, they use, wait for it, a two-thirds wavelength phase delay, and while not changing the electro-optical response – the two-thirds at a time rather than full – the result is stable wavefront control with reduced optical component manufacturing complexity or cost. This development in metalens tech could further miniaturize the size of the camera module on the smartphone body, something the world has long looked forward to solving the infamous camera bump problem in smartphones.
For instance, the team combined the metalens with an ultra-compact infrared optical module for the perceptual camera needed in extended reality (XR) devices. Measuring only 1.6mm thick, 20% thinner than traditional refractive-lens cameras, it offered superb optical performance, with MTF testing showing its resolution improved from 50% to 72%, and it also supported accurate gaze tracking with a 120-degree field of view.
This metalens technology has far-reaching implications. This may also mean no more big lumps behind smartphones that enable better photography, and may even allow for thinner, lighter phones freed from huge camera bulges. The method is also cost-effective, has improved mechanical stability, and scope for adaptation to visible light applications.
Samsung also intends to continue the work with academic institutes like POSTECH to provide more advancements in the field of metalens technology, where a new generation of imaging solutions can redefine consumer electronics.
FAQs
Metalens technology is based on ultrathin nanostructures etched on a flat surface to control light, providing compact light weight and high performance optical solutions.
This instead uses a two-thirds wavelength phase delay rather than a full wavelength, leading to less complex and smaller nanostructures without a performance hit.
This can be used in XR headsets, smartphones, and devices that need highly miniaturized high-performance camera technology.
