Compact eye camera with two-third wavelength phase-delay metalens

Jeong-Geun Yun, Hyunjung Kang, Kyookeun Lee, Youngmo Jeong, Eunji Lee, Joohoon Kim, Minseok Choi, Bonkon Koo, Doyoun Kim, Jongchul Choi and Junsuk Rho ()
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Jeong-Geun Yun: Samsung Electronics
Hyunjung Kang: Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Kyookeun Lee: Samsung Electronics
Youngmo Jeong: Samsung Electronics
Eunji Lee: Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Joohoon Kim: Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Minseok Choi: Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Bonkon Koo: Samsung Electronics
Doyoun Kim: Samsung Electronics
Jongchul Choi: Samsung Electronics
Junsuk Rho: Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The essential role of mobile devices in modern life has driven increasing demand for compact, lightweight, and high-performance imaging systems. Recently, metalenses, which manipulate electromagnetic waves through sub-wavelength nanostructures on flat surfaces, have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional refractive lenses. However, their commercial adoption remains limited due to manufacturing challenges in defining high-aspect-ratio nanostructures, which drive up costs and reduce production yields. To address these issues, we propose an infrared metalens with a wide field of view, designed to reduce the aspect ratio of the nanostructures. Even with a limited phase modulation depth of 4π/3 which is two-thirds that of the conventional designs, we demonstrate that the height of the structures can be reduced without compromising performance. As proof of concept, we present a prototype of a compact eye imaging system based on this design method. The resulting metalens system achieves a 120-degree field of view and features an ultracompact form factor with a total track length of 1.758 mm. Such an imaging system, functioning as a compact eye camera module, enables precise extraction of eye features for gaze tracking and iris authentication, highlighting its potential for commercialization in extended reality devices.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62577-1

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