For the research, Grange and her team created a method that combines chemical synthesis with precision nanoengineering<\/a>. \u201cThe solution containing the precursors for lithium niobate crystals can be stamped while still in a liquid state,\u201d \u00dclle-Linda Talts, a doctoral student at ETH Zurich, said. <\/p>\n \u201cIt works in a similar way to Gutenberg\u2019s printing press<\/a>,\u201d Talts continued, adding that once heated to 1112 degrees Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius), the stamped material solidifies into a crystal structure with unique optical properties.<\/p>\n Producing lithium niobate nanostructures is challenging with conventional methods due to the material\u2019s exceptional stability and hardness, however according to the technique is well-suited for mass production, as the reusable inverse mold makes fabrication faster and more cost-effective.<\/p>\n Lab experiments carried out by Grange and her team demonstrated that the lens could take infrared laser light<\/a> at 800 nanometers and convert it into visible violet light at 400 nanometers, focusing it to a single point. The light conversion is based on a nonlinear optical effect, which until now required bulky crystals and complex setups. <\/p>\n A breakthrough solution<\/p>\n The researchers pointed out that that the technology could be used across many industries. For instance, the metalenses as well as similar hologram-generating nanostructures could serve as security features on banknotes, using their unique structure and light-conversion properties<\/a> to help verify authenticity.<\/p>\n According to the team, the technology could make deep-UV lithography equipment simpler and more efficient for building next-gen semiconductors in manufacturing, and lead to smaller and more powerful imaging systems in science and medicine. <\/p>\n Grange emphasizes that the development of ultra-thin optical elements, known as metasurfaces, is a relatively new area of research, emerging at the intersection of physics, materials science, and chemistry.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have only scratched the surface so far and are very excited to see how much of an impact this type of new cost-effective technology will have in the future,\u201d Grange concludes in a press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Schematics](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A2.jpg\")
Schematics of a classic lens compared to a metalens.
Credit: \u00dc. Talts \/ ETH Zurich<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Microscopic](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A3_7dae79.jpg\")
Microscopic image of different nanostructures as used in metalenses.
Credit: Talts \u00dcL, et al, Adv. Mat., 2025<\/a><\/p>\n