Samsung, POSTECH Unveil Metalens Breakthrough

Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), has announced a significant advancement in metalens technology. The joint research, published in Nature Communications, introduces a new method for creating ultra-compact metalenses that could revolutionize camera optics in extended reality (XR) devices and smartphones.

The study, led by Dr. Jeong-Geun Yun from Samsung Research and Professor Junsuk Rho of POSTECH, successfully demonstrated the world’s first implementation of a two-thirds wavelength phase delay in metalenses. This breakthrough allows for a reduction in the aspect ratio of nanostructures from 1:10 to 1:5, making them easier to fabricate and more mechanically stable. The innovative approach promises to overcome the challenges that have long hindered the commercialization of metalenses.

The newly developed metalens was used to construct an ultra-compact infrared eye camera, achieving a 20% reduction in thickness, from 2.0 millimeters to 1.6 millimeters, without compromising performance. The camera demonstrated precise pupil tracking and iris recognition, with an improved modulation transfer function (MTF) performance from 50% to 72%.

Looking to the future, Samsung plans to expand this technology to the visible light spectrum, aiming to minimize smartphone camera protrusion and enhance imaging sensor systems. This collaboration marks a step forward in the pursuit of next-generation photonic device technologies.