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Metasurface-based varifocal Alvarez lens at microwave frequencies

Journal Article · · Optics Express
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.509837· OSTI ID:2278900

Lenses with a tunable focus are highly desirable but remain a challenge. Here, we demonstrate a microwave varifocal meta-lens based on the Alvarez lens principle, consisting of two mechanically movable tri-layer metasurface phase plates with reversed cubic spatial profiles. The manufactured multilayer Alvarez meta-lens enables microwave beam collimation/focusing at frequencies centered at 7.5 GHz, and shows one octave focal length tunability when transversely translating the phase plates by 8 cm. The measurements reveal a gain enhancement up to 15 dB, 3-dB beam width down to 3.5 , and relatively broad 3-dB bandwidth of 3 GHz. These advantageous characteristics, along with its simplicity, compactness, and lightweightness, make the demonstrated flat Alvarez meta-lens suitable for deployment in many microwave systems.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
2278900
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2281526
Journal Information:
Optics Express, Journal Name: Optics Express Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 32; ISSN 1094-4087; ISSN OPEXFF
Publisher:
Optical Society of AmericaCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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