Aspherical microlenses
Researchers at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw surprised us by designing and creating with the help of a unique 3D laser printer on a scale – tiny lenses. Their size is smaller than human hair, and they will play invaluable help in optical measurements of semiconductor structures. Lenses can observe light from samples containing, for example, quantum dots or, recently, prevalent, atomic thin two-dimensional materials. These include molybdenum dioxide and tungsten dioxide, which have a graphene-like structure. The microlenses surface is designed so that the light emitted from the sample is formed into a beam of photons with low divergence, which beam can quickly be sent to research and measuring equipment. This is a step to replace the expensive and bulky size microscope lens.