For centuries, lenses have relied on curved glass or plastic to bend light and bring images into focus. However, the more powerful a lens needs to be, the larger and heavier it becomes. Scientists have long sought a way to create lightweight lenses without compromising performance. While some thinner alternatives exist, they often come with limitations and are difficult and expensive to produce.
A New Kind of Flat Lens
A research team led by University of Utah engineering professor Rajesh Menon has developed a promising new solution: a large-aperture flat lens that focuses light as effectively as traditional curved lenses while maintaining accurate color. This breakthrough could revolutionize astrophotography and telescope design, particularly for applications where minimizing size and weight is critical, such as on aircraft, satellites, and space-based telescopes.
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