Kathryn Benincasa^a, Cecile Fradin^b, Kalaichelvi Saravanamuttu^a*

a - Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, kalai@mcmaster.ca

b - Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University

We have generated slim (2 mm to 3 mm thick), soft polymer films inscribed with Waveguide Encoded Lattices which - like arthropodal compound eyes -  have enhanced panoramic field of view (FOV) and multiple optical functionalities. [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.

1. Hosein, I. D.; Lin, H.; Ponte, M. R.; Basker, D. K.; Brook, M. A.; Saravanamuttu, K. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2017, 27, 1–11.
2. Lin, H.; Hosein, I. D.; Benincasa, K. A.; Saravanamuttu, K. Adv. Opt. Mater. 2019, 7, 1801091 (1-9).
3. Lin, H., Benincasa, K., Fradin, C., Saravanamuttu, K. Adv. Opt. Mater. 2019, 7, 1801487 (1-9)