Waveguide Encoded Lattices (wels): slim polymer films with enhanced fields of view inspired by arthropodal compound eyes.

In this presentation, we will describe a family of 2 mm to 3 mm thick, polymer films inscribed with WELs, which - like arthropodal compound eyes - have enhanced panoramic field of view (FOV). [1-3] These include an exceptionally high density of light harvesting waveguide units (>15,000 cm^-2), excellent imaging resolution, infinite depth of field and operability at all visible wavelengths including broad incandescent spectra (like sunlight) and discrete spectral ranges of lasers and LEDs. WELs transmit, focus and invert images without need for bulky optics and conversely, control the shape and trajectory of light beams. Different from the curved architectures of compound eyes, WELs are plane-faced, optically flat, slim films, which due to their translational symmetry could be extended over large areas (e.g. through roll-to-roll manufacturing) and due to their flexibility, integrated with ease into technologies such as LCDs, solar cells, cameras and smart phones.

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3. Lin, H., Benincasa, K., Fradin, C., Saravanamuttu, K. Adv. Opt. Mater. 2019, 7, 1801487 (1-9)