Meta-Optics Triplet for Zoom Imaging at Mid-Wave Infrared

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a lightweight, compact meta-optic triplet capable of zoom imaging in the mid-wave infrared, achieving a 5x zoom range with high image quality, offering a promising alternative to traditional bulky lens systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel meta-optic triplet design for mid-infrared zoom imaging, significantly reducing size and weight compared to conventional lens systems.

Findings

Achieves 5x zoom range with high image quality

Provides a 50° full field of view at 8 mm aperture

Demonstrates potential for lighter, thinner imaging systems

Abstract

Lenses with dynamic focal length, also called zoom functionality, enable a variety of applications related to imaging and sensing. The traditional approach of stacking refractive lenses to achieve this functionality results in an expensive, heavy optical system. Especially for applications in the mid-infrared, light weight and compact form factor are required. In this work, we use a meta-optic triplet to demonstrate zoom imaging at mid-wave infrared wavelengths. By varying the axial distances between the optics, the meta-optic triplet achieves high quality imaging over a zoom range of 5x, with 50$^\circ$ full field of view in the widest configuration and an aperture of 8 mm. This triplet system demonstrates the potential for meta-optics to reduce conventional components in complex and multi-functional imaging systems to dramatically thinner and lighter components.