Inverse designed extended depth of focus meta-optics for broadband imaging in the visible

We report an inverse-designed, high numerical aperture (similar to 0.44), extended depth of focus (EDOF) meta-optic, which exhibits a lens-like point spread function (PSF). The EDOF meta-optic maintains a focusing efficiency comparable to that of a hyperboloid metalens throughout its depth of focus. Exploiting the extended depth of focus and computational post processing, we demonstrate broadband imaging across the full visible spectrum using a 1 mm, f/1 meta-optic. Unlike other canonical EDOF meta-optics, characterized by phase masks such as a log-asphere or cubic function, our design exhibits a highly invariant PSF across similar to 290 nm optical bandwidth, which leads to significantly improved image quality, as quantified by structural similarity metrics.

Automated summary

The inverse-designed, high numerical aperture, extended depth of focus meta-optic with lens-like point spread function maintains focusing efficiency comparable to a hyperboloid metalens throughout its depth of focus. It demonstrates broadband imaging across the full visible spectrum and exhibits highly invariant point spread function across a broad optical bandwidth, leading to significantly improved image quality.