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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Writing Bragg Gratings in Multicore Fibers

Writing Bragg Gratings in Multicore Fibers

Published on: April 20, 2016

Atomically thin optical lenses and gratings.

Jiong Yang¹, Zhu Wang², Fan Wang³

¹Research School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

Light, Science & Applications

|September 1, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Single-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibits a giant optical path length, enabling the creation of the world's thinnest optical lens. This breakthrough in two-dimensional (2D) materials paves the way for ultra-miniaturized optical devices.

Keywords:

MoS2 atomically thin grating micro-lens two-dimensional

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Area of Science:

Optoelectronics
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer potential for miniaturized optoelectronic devices due to strong light interactions.
Miniaturized optical systems necessitate strong elastic light-matter interactions for light control.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the optical properties of single-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2).
To demonstrate the fabrication of ultra-thin optical components using MoS2.
To explore the potential of MoS2 in advanced optical functionalities and tunable devices.

Main Methods:

Characterization of the optical path length (OPL) of single-layer MoS2.
Fabrication of an ultra-thin optical lens using few-layer MoS2.
Demonstration of high-efficiency gratings using single- or few-layer MoS2.

Main Results:

Single-layer MoS2 exhibits a giant OPL, significantly larger than graphene.
The world's thinnest optical lens (less than 6.3 nm thick) was demonstrated using MoS2.
High-efficiency gratings were successfully fabricated using MoS2.

Conclusions:

MoS2's giant OPL and elastic scattering efficiency enable unprecedented miniaturization of optical components.
The tunable refractive index of MoS2 by electric field opens possibilities for electrically tunable optical devices.
This research advances the integration of optical functionalities into atomically thin materials.