Ultra-thin lens breakthrough could revolutionise miniature cameras

Dr Han Lin and Professor Baohua Jia from the Centre for Translational Atomaterials have developed a lens that could revolutionise miniature cameras.
In summary
- An international team, led by researchers from Swinburne’s Centre for Translational Atomaterials, has developed an ultra-thin lens
- The lens could be used in eyeglasses, microscopes, magnifying glasses, and camera lenses
An international team, led by researchers from Swinburne’s Centre for Translational Atomaterials, has developed an ultra-thin lens that could revolutionise miniature cameras and high-speed photonic chips.
The lens is made from a one molecule layer of atomaterials – the next generation of nanomaterials with a thickness about one millionth of a human hair in size.
It could be used in ultra-compact cameras, achieving high resolution images comparable to state-of-the-art imaging systems.
The research breakthrough has recently been reported as the cover story in the Nature journal Light Science & Application. It was co-led by Founding Director of Swinburne’s Centre for Translational Atomaterials, Professor Baohua Jia, Professor Qiaoliang Bao formerly at Monash University, and Professor Chengwei Qiu at National University of Singapore.
“Lenses are the key element in optical systems in our daily life, including eyeglasses, microscopes, magnifying glasses, and camera lenses,” says first author Swinburne’s Dr Han Lin.
“Conventional lenses based on light refraction need multiple lenses to be stacked to form compound lenses to minimise aberrations and achieve good imaging quality. Therefore, current high-quality camera equipment is complex and bulky. We have put tremendous effort into the development of ultrathin flat lenses.”
Unlike conventional lenses, a flat lens uses nanostructures to control light and correct image distortion. It can also produce different light patterns to achieve functionalities like display, coloration or optical tweezers – scientific instruments that use a highly focused laser beam to hold and move microscopic objects.
However, when the lens becomes very thin – just a single layer of atoms, for example – it cannot provide good image quality with high resolution and high contrast.
In this work, the researchers used a laser to nanoprint the surface of the monolayer materials to fabricate the lens. Unlike conventional lenses with a smooth curved surface, the monolayer lens is ultraflat and composed of concentric rings with a rough surface composed of nanoparticles (shown in the figure).

An atomaterial lens made by laser nanoprinting of a monolayer of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials. Schematic of femtosecond laser nanoprinting of a monolayer TMDC lens. Inset: (i) AFM image of a monolayer TMDC single crystal, and (ii) Schematic of laser nanoprinting generation of nanoparticles assisting the high performance focusing.
This nanoprinting made the monolayer lens capable of providing high-resolution, high contrast images, that could be applied in a mobile phone camera to further reduce the device thickness.
“We have used the thinnest material in the world to fabricate a flat lens and prove that the good performance of the ultrathin lens can lead to high resolution imaging,” says Professor Jia.
“It shows enormous potential in different applications. Using this technique, the weight and size of camera lenses could be significantly reduced,” says Professor Chengwei Qiu.
Professor Qiaoliang Bao adds: “We are excited to see unique outcome from femtosecond laser nanoprinting of 2D materials. It opens up new possibilities to fabricate photonic devices using a scalable and low-cost method. This lens is readily integratable with existing devices.”
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- Technology
Electric vehicle fires are very rare. The risk for petrol and diesel vehicles is at least 20 times higher
Two electric vehicle fires have been reported in Australia this week. Five cars were destroyed after a lithium battery ignited in a car parked at Sydney Airport on Monday. Firefighters believed the battery had been detached from the car because it was damaged.
Friday 15 September 2023 -
- Science
Does running water really trigger the urge to pee? Experts explain the brain-bladder connection
We all know that feeling when nature calls – but what’s far less understood is the psychology behind it. Why, for example, do we get the urge to pee just before getting into the shower, or when we’re swimming?
Thursday 14 September 2023 -
- Technology
- Business
Accelerator Program paves the path to entrepreneurship excellence
After an intensive 12-week journey in the Accelerator Program 2023, five startups took the stage and presented their awe-inspiring pitches at Swinburne's Demo Night.
Thursday 14 September 2023 -
- Science
- University
Quantum technology and sustainably produced chemicals – how Swinburne scientists are paving the way to a brighter future
Swinburne scientists will lead the way in sustainability and quantum technologies thanks to $1.75M in Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship grants.
Tuesday 01 August 2023 -
- Science
- University
New $5.2m supercomputer enhances high impact research around Australia
Swinburne University of Technology has launched its $5.2 million supercomputer that will produce groundbreaking space technology, medicine, and environmental research by researchers and partners across Australia.
Monday 14 August 2023