Highly Efficient Broadband Achromatic Microlens Design Based on Low-Dispersion Materials

Metalenses with achromatic performance offer a new opportunity for high-quality imaging with an ultracompact configuration;however,they suffer from complex fabrication processes and low focusing efficiency.In this study,we propose an efficient design method for achromatic microlenses on a wavelength scale using materials with low dispersion,an adequately designed convex surface,and a thickness profile distribution.By taking into account the absolute chromatic aberration,relative focal length shift(FLS),and numerical aperture(NA),microlens with a certain focal length can be realized through our realized map of geometric features.Accordingly,the designed achromatic microlenses with low-dispersion fused silica were fabricated using a focused ion beam,and precise surface profiles were obtained.The fabricated microlenses exhibited a high average focusing efficiency of 65%at visible wavelengths of 410-680 nm and excellent achromatic capability via white light imaging.Moreover,the design exhibited the advantages of being polarization-insensitive and near-diffraction-limited.These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed achromatic microlens design approach,which expands the prospects of miniaturized optics such as virtual and augmented reality,ultracompact microscopes,and biological endoscopy.

Dielectric response of ANb_(2)O_(6)(A = Zn, Co, Mn, Ni) columbite niobates: From microwave to terahertz

In the upcoming 6-generation(6G)revolution,the achievement of low power consumption has become a key objective in research concerning terahertz devices.As an important component of passive devices,there are very few low-loss dielectric ceramics in the terahertz range.To elucidate the mechanism of loss and promote the application of microwave dielectric ceramics for future 6G technology(covering microwave and terahertz frequencies),the terahertz responses of ANb_(2)O_(6)(A=Zn,Co,Mn,and Ni)columbite niobates were studied.The influences of magnetic loss on the Qxf values in the microwave range with different transition metal ions in the A-site were reasonably analyzed.Moreover,due to the weakened magnetic relaxation properties in the terahertz range,the samples all exhibited low loss and approximate transparency,especially for MnNb_(2)O_(6) and NiNb_(2)O_(6)(tano<0.01 and absorption coefficient<10 cm^(-1) below 1.2 THz),which subverted the definition of traditional low-loss microwave dielectric ceramics.Ultimately,based on Mie theory,we designed a prototypical broadband metamaterial reflector to validate the applicability of the ANb_(2)O_(6) system in the terahertz band,which is highly important for the development of terahertz ceramic-based passive devices.

Ceramic-based dielectric metamaterials

Dielectric metamaterials based on ceramics have attracted considerable in-terest in the past few years owing to their low dielectric loss,simple structure,excellent multifield tunability,and good environmental adaptability.They are considered to be promising alternative to metal-based metamaterials and can lead to a new strategy for the development of passive devices.In this review,the recent progress of ceramic-based dielectric metamaterials in electro-magnetic applications,energy applications,non-Hermitian systems,and natural materials with near-zero or negative refraction are summarized.The design principle and mechanism,as well as manufacturing technologies,are also introduced,and the current development trend of ceramic-based dielectric metamaterials are proposed.