GRIN Lens Information

Example index of refraction profile of a 2mm diameter lens.

GRadient INdex (GRIN) lenses use a non uniform index of refraction to shape light instead of surface curvature as with standard lenses. Our system uses a cylindrical GRIN lens which is implanted within 200um of the structure of interest. For a given GRIN lens, its focusing property can be adjusted by changing the pitch of the lens which is directly related to the lens length.

• Advantages of GRIN lenses
  • Extremely small to zero working distance
  • Optical properties tune-able by changing lens length
  • Affordable
  • Small size (down to 0.5mm in diameter)
  • Compatible
• Disadvantages of GRIN lenses
  • No optimal index of refraction profile for imaging applications
  • The majority of commercially available GRIN lenses are not optimized for imaging applications (discussed below)
  • People have experienced supply issues from some suppliers (discussed below)