Texas Patent of the Month – January 2025
In the realm of advanced optical technologies, Nanohmics has pioneered a groundbreaking invention that redefines the capabilities of metasurfaces. This innovation, detailed in their recent patent, introduces a metasurface composed of a substrate layer and a structured dielectric layer, both optically transparent across a defined spectral range. The structured dielectric layer is embedded with multiple asymmetric nanofeatures, each meticulously designed to manipulate electromagnetic radiation with unparalleled precision. These nanofeatures, ranging in height from λmin/100 to 2λmax, are engineered to scatter different polarization states of light, enabling complex control over light propagation and phase shifts.
The metasurface’s design is both intricate and versatile. It includes at least two types of nanofeatures: the first tailored to scatter orthogonal polarization states with distinct patterns, and the second designed to scatter the same polarization states but with different phase shifts. This dual functionality allows for advanced manipulation of light, making the metasurface highly effective in applications requiring precise spectral and polarimetric control. The nanofeatures can be arranged in various configurations—identical or different in length, width, and orientation—offering flexibility in design and application. Whether the nanofeatures are posts or voids, elliptical or rectangular, they are arrayed across the dielectric layer to achieve the desired optical effects.
What sets this invention apart is its ability to integrate seamlessly with detector arrays, such as focal plane arrays, to create compact, lightweight, and cost-effective imaging systems. Traditional spectrometers and hyperspectral imagers often rely on bulky, complex optical components and precise alignment, which can be cumbersome and expensive. Nanohmics’ metasurface-based system eliminates these drawbacks, providing a robust solution for applications ranging from medical imaging and environmental monitoring to satellite surveillance and autonomous vehicle navigation. The metasurface’s multifunctionality extends to its ability to focus electromagnetic radiation into multiple patterns, spectrally disperse light, and map spatial information, all while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratios and spectral resolution.
This invention is not just a step forward in optical engineering; it is a leap toward the future of compact, high-performance imaging systems. By leveraging the unique properties of asymmetric nanofeatures, Nanohmics has created a technology that is not only versatile and efficient but also scalable and adaptable to a wide range of industries. Whether it’s detecting chemical markers in manufacturing, analyzing planetary surfaces, or enhancing night vision capabilities, this metasurface innovation promises to revolutionize how we interact with and understand the world through light.
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