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1. Metaform optics: Bridging nanophotonics and freeform optics

   https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abe5112  

   Nikolov, Daniel K.; Bauer, Aaron; Cheng, Fei; Kato, Hitoshi; Vamivakas, A. Nick; Rolland, Jannick P. (April 2021, Science Advances)

   null (Ed.)

   The demand for high-resolution optical systems with a compact form factor, such as augmented reality displays, sensors, and mobile cameras, requires creating new optical component architectures. Advances in the design and fabrication of freeform optics and metasurfaces make them potential solutions to address the previous needs. Here, we introduce the concept of a metaform—an optical surface that integrates the combined benefits of a freeform optic and a metasurface into a single optical component. We experimentally realized a miniature imager using a metaform mirror. The mirror is fabricated via an enhanced electron beam lithography process on a freeform substrate. The design degrees of freedom enabled by a metaform will support a new generation of optical systems. 

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2. Freeform optics: introduction

   https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.454788  

   Falaggis, Konstantinos; Rolland, Jannick; Duerr, Fabian; Sohn, Alexander (January 2022, Optics Express)

   This feature issue of Optics Express highlights 28 state-of-the-art articles that capture a snapshot of the recent developments in the field of freeform optics. As an introduction, the editors provide an overview of all published articles, which cover a broad range of topics in freeform optics. The wide variety of applications presented here demonstrates that freeform optics is a growing and vibrant field with many more innovations to come. 

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3. Meta-optics inspired surface plasmon devices [Meta-optics inspired surface plasmon devices]

   https://doi.org/10.3788/PI.2023.R02  

   Xu, Quan; Lang, Yuanhao; Jiang, Xiaohan; Yuan, Xinyao; Xu, Yuehong; Gu, Jianqiang; Tian, Zhen; Ouyang, Chunmei; Zhang, Xueqian; Han, Jiaguang; et al (January 2023, Photonics Insights)
4. Software-defined meta-optics

   https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0164387  

   Audhkhasi, Romil; Fröch, Johannes E.; Zhan, Alan; Colburn, Shane; Majumdar, Arka (October 2023, Applied Physics Letters)

   Rapid advancements in autonomous systems and the Internet of Things have necessitated the development of compact and low-power image sensors to bridge the gap between the digital and physical world. To that end, sub-wavelength diffractive optics, commonly known as meta-optics, have garnered significant interest from the optics and photonics community due to their ability to achieve multiple functionalities within a small form factor. Despite years of research, however, the performance of meta-optics has often remained inferior compared to that of traditional refractive optics. In parallel, computational imaging techniques have emerged as a promising path to miniaturize optical systems, albeit often at the expense of higher power and latency. The lack of desired performance from either meta-optical or computational solutions has motivated researchers to look into a jointly optimized meta-optical–digital solution. While the meta-optical front end can preprocess the scene to reduce the computational load on the digital back end, the computational back end can in turn relax requirements on the meta-optics. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of this up-and-coming field, termed here as “software-defined meta-optics.” We highlight recent contributions that have advanced the current state of the art and point out directions toward which future research efforts should be directed to leverage the full potential of subwavelength photonic platforms in imaging and sensing applications. Synergistic technology transfer and commercialization of meta-optic technologies will pave the way for highly efficient, compact, and low-power imaging systems of the future. 

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5. Remote quantum optics labs

   https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2584597  

   Galvez, Enrique J. (March 2021, Complex Light and Optical Forces XV)

   Andrews, David L.; Galvez, Enrique J.; Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (Ed.)

   When situations make it diffcult for students to be physically present in the laboratory, there is a need to provide remote instructional offerings. This is a particularly acute problem in upper-level physics laboratories because they involve the use of sophisticated equipment for the investigation of advanced topics. The possibility of automating such experiences presents itself as a possible solution. In this article I present the offering of an automated quantum optics lab for advanced physics students. I do so by automating the laboratory components via actuators and sensors controlled through serial connections. Live images of the laboratory provide visual inspection of the apparatus and sensors. All of these components are connected to a personal computer that students can control by remote access. The experience provides a new paradigm for experimentation, giving students experience on laboratory work with a remote apparatus at fexible times, making the experiment a form of homework assignment. 

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