Open AccessPerformance of a three dimensional transformation-optical-flattened Lüneburg lens
Author(s) -
Tom Driscoll,
Guy Lipworth,
Jack Hunt,
Nathan Landy,
Nathan Kundtz,
D. N. Basov,
David R. Smith
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.013262
Subject(s) - lens (geology) , transformation optics , optics , transformation (genetics) , metamaterial , benchmark (surveying) , computer science , conformal map , coordinate system , materials science , physics , artificial intelligence , mathematical analysis , biochemistry , chemistry , mathematics , geodesy , gene , geography
We demonstrate both the beam-forming and imaging capabilities of an X-band (8-12 GHz) operational Lüneburg lens, one side of which has been flattened via a coordinate transformation optimized using quasi-conformal transformation optics (QCTO) procedures. Our experimental investigation includes benchmark performance comparisons between the QCTO Lüneburg lens and a commensurate conventional Lüneburg lens. The QCTO Lüneburg lens is made from a metamaterial comprised of inexpensive plastic and fiberglass, and manufactured using fast and versatile numerically controlled water-jet machining. Looking forward towards the future and advanced TO designs, we discuss inevitable design trade-offs between affordable scalable manufacturing and rigorous adherence to the full TO solution, as well as possible paths to mitigate performance degradation in realizable designs.