Experts craft spiral lens, delivers sharp vision at all distances

Its distinctive spiraling design creates numerous focal points, akin to combining multiple lenses. This unique arrangement enables clear vision at different distances.

The team claims its potential applications span various fields, including enhancing contact lens technologies, improving intraocular implants for cataracts, and advancing miniaturized imaging systems.

The details of the team’s research were published in the journal Optica. 

Generating a light vortex

Laurent Galinier, hailing from SPIRAL SAS in France and the paper’s first author, found inspiration for the spiral lens design while investigating the optical characteristics of severe corneal deformities in patients.

This exploration sparked the conceptualization of a unique lens with a spiral configuration, similar to water spiraling down a drain, generating an optical vortex effect. This phenomenon termed an optical vortex, creates multiple distinct focal points, facilitating clear vision at varying distances.

“Traditionally, generating an optical vortex necessitates the integration of multiple optical components. However, our lens directly integrates the essential elements for producing an optical vortex onto its surface.

While the generation of optical vortices is a burgeoning area of research, our approach simplifies the process, signifying a significant advancement in optics, said Galinier in a statement. 

Employing advanced digital machining techniques, the researchers meticulously crafted the lens to perfectly embody the unique spiral pattern. Subsequently, they assessed the lens’s efficacy by utilizing it to capture images of a digital ‘E,’ similar to those displayed on an optometrist’s illuminated chart.

Notably, the researchers observed consistent image quality across various aperture sizes. Furthermore, according to the team, they discerned that the optical vortices could be tailored by adjusting the topological charge, corresponding to the number of revolutions around the optical axis. 

Diverse applications

A collaborative effort across disciplines was crucial in realizing the development of the new lens, merging a smartly crafted design with cutting-edge fabrication techniques.

“The genesis of the spiral diopter lens, originating from an inventive mind, was validated scientifically through an extensive collaboration involving optical experts. This yielded an innovative methodology for crafting advanced lenses, said Bertrand Simon from LP2N in a statement. 

Currently, the researchers are focused on deepening their understanding of the distinct optical vortices generated by their lens. They plan to conduct systematic trials to assess its efficacy in correcting vision in real-world scenarios, aiming to comprehensively verify its performance and benefits.

Furthermore, they are exploring the potential application of this concept in prescription eyewear, envisioning the possibility of providing users with clear vision across varying distances.

“This new lens could significantly improve people’s depth of vision under changing lighting conditions. Future developments with this technology might also lead to advancements in compact imaging technologies, wearable devices, and remote sensing systems for drones or self-driving cars, which could make them more reliable and efficient,” said Simon.