Product Applications

Alpha Cen metalenses are enabled by silicon-based or glass-based nanostructured metasurfaces, delivering imaging and beam-shaping functionalities equivalent to conventional refractive (geometric) lenses and diffractive optical elements (DOEs) within a single monolithic optic. The platform is compatible with wafer-level fabrication and packaging (WLP), enabling significant optical module miniaturization in consumer electronics and smart devices while improving unit-to-unit consistency and overall reliability.

Devices & Use Cases

 

  • Smartphones / Tablets: IR imaging, 3D ToF face authentication, ToF autofocus (AF), structured-light dot projection, IR flood illumination

  • TWS Earbuds: in-ear detection / proximity sensing

  • Wearables: PPG sensing for heart rate and SpO₂ monitoring

  • Robot vacuums / Robotics: IR receiver optics, line illumination, point light sources, LiDAR-related beam shaping

IR Imaging & ToF Optics

Typical Applications

  • iToF and dToF: 3D sensing, autofocus
  • Structured light modules: Face recognition, light source in ToF systems
  • Far-infrared lenses: Cost-effective alternatives to traditional thermal imaging lenses
  • Polarization function: Integrating metalens with sensor to achieve polarization selection or polarization imaging

Key Highlights

  • Monolithic single-element imaging: imaging implemented in a single optic, significantly reducing lens stack and overall module volume (Z-height)

  • High uniformity and high-temperature stability: designed for harsh consumer-electronics operating conditions

  • High contrast with low CRA (chief ray angle): improved off-axis (edge) imaging performance with reduced fall-off

 

3D iToF Miniaturized Module

In 3D sensing (iToF) applications, an imaging metalens can effectively reduce the module thickness (Z-height). Compared with conventional refractive (geometric) lens solutions, the metalens approach enables a more compact module architecture. An iToF module demo has been validated, demonstrating normal ranging performance with depth and intensity outputs.

Collimation Metalens

Typical Applications

  • 940 nm VCSEL collimation: laser focusing and point-source emission optics

  • Under-display proximity sensing

  • In-ear detection for earbuds (TWS)

  • Smartwatch PPG sensing for heart rate and SpO₂ monitoring

Key Highlights

  • High collimation quality and high optical efficiency: meets emitter-side power budget and angular specifications

  • High-temperature capable, reflow-solder compatible: suitable for consumer-electronics manufacturing lines

  • High unit-to-unit consistency: wafer-level processes enable excellent batch uniformity

  • Customization supported (e.g., wavelength, divergence angle, package/optomechanical interface)

 
 

Line-Generator Metalens

Typical Applications

  • Emitter-side optics for ToF AF / ToF face authentication (rectangular beam profile, flood illumination)

  • IR flood illumination (IR fill light)

  • Line illumination for robot vacuums (navigation, obstacle avoidance, structured-light / line-light solutions)

Key Highlights

  • Monolithic beam expansion / line generation in a single element, simplifying the opto-mechanical architecture

  • Co-design compatible with VCSEL packaging (optics–package integration)

  • Supports iterative optical optimization (e.g., distortion compensation, achromatic/chromatic-dispersion compensation)

Dot Metalens

Typical Applications

  • Structured-light dot projection (3D face authentication, 3D sensing, etc.)

Key Highlights

  • Monolithic dot projector replacing conventional multi-component optical assemblies, significantly reducing module volume (Z-height)

  • More uniform dot density and irradiance (brightness) distribution

  • Wide field of view (FOV) with low distortion

  • High unit-to-unit consistency, high-temperature capable, and reflow-solder compatible