High-efficiency high-numerical-aperture metalens designed by maximizing the efficiency limit

• DOI: 10.1364/optica.514907
• Publication Date: 2024-03-18T18:00:20Z
• Authors: Shiyu Li; Ho-Chun Lin; Chia Wei Hsu
• Keywords: Numerical aperture; Aperture (computer memory)

Theoretical bounds are commonly used to assess the limitations of photonic design. Here we introduce a more active way use theoretical bounds, integrating them into part design process and identifying optimal system parameters that maximize efficiency limit itself. As an example, consider wide-field-of-view high-numerical-aperture metalenses, which can be for high-resolution imaging in microscopy endoscopy, but no existing has achieved high efficiency. By choosing aperture sizes bound, setting thickness according then performing inverse design, come up with (NA=0.9) metalens designs with, our knowledge, record-high 98% transmission 92% Strehl ratio across all incident angles within 60° field view, reaching maximized bound. This maximizing-efficiency-limit approach applies any multi-channel help wide range optical devices reach their highest possible performance.