Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
07:14
Microfabrication of Implantable Optics Integrated in a Microstructured Imaging Window for Advanced In Vivo Imaging
Published on: April 11, 2025
1.3K
Scalable variable-index elasto-optic metamaterials for macroscopic optical components and devices.
Dongheok Shin1, Junhyun Kim1, Changwook Kim1
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
Nature Communications
|July 13, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed large-scale elasto-optic metamaterials using aerogels. These materials manipulate broadband visible light, overcoming fabrication challenges for advanced optical devices.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Solid Mechanics
Background:
- Optical metamaterials offer novel functionalities for advanced optical devices.
- Visible spectrum metamaterial development faces challenges in high cost and slow nanofabrication.
- Existing methods struggle with large-scale, broadband visible light manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate macroscale elasto-optic metamaterials for broadband visible light control.
- To overcome fabrication limitations of traditional metamaterials.
- To enable direct processing of natural light by metamaterial-based devices.
Main Methods:
- Utilized elasto-optic metamaterials combining optics and solid mechanics.
- Employed mesoscopically homogeneous bulk aerogels with broadband optical transparency.
- Achieved stress-tuneable refractive index from 1.43 down to ~1.074.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated macroscale transformation-optics wave bender (>35 mm) and Luneburg lens.
- Demonstrated control and redirection of broadband white-light visible wavelengths.
- Light manipulation achieved in a large volume (>10^5λ × 10^5λ × 10^3λ).
Conclusions:
- Elasto-optic metamaterials offer a viable, cost-effective alternative for large-scale optical devices.
- Aerogel-based metamaterials enable broadband visible light manipulation without coupling components.
- This approach paves the way for direct integration of natural light with metamaterial devices.
