Nearly 180° Field-of-View Metalens for Miniaturized Imaging Systems

In the domain of commercial imaging systems, there is a growing demand for lenses with a wide field-of-view (WFOV) that can also operate over a broad bandwidth. However, significant axial and color dispersion have hindered their widespread adoption. An alternative approach involving the vertical stacking of multiple metalenses is proposed, but this method increases the complexity of the optical system, negating the primary benefits of reduced thickness and weight. This work addresses these challenges by introducing a single-layer imaging lens that utilizes an advanced quadratic phase profile specifically engineered to achieve a WFOV. This lens system demonstrates a remarkably WFOV of ≈176°. Additionally, it is optimized for immediate compatibility with non-polarized light and integrates with conventional color filters commonly used in most camera systems. These advancements have the potential to considerably enhance the incorporation of metalens technology into consumer electronics.