Metalenses: Photo Revolution

Update, 20170209: Flat metalenses now work with a range of colors
Update, 20180104: Metalenses now focus entire range of visible light
Update, 20181229: Findings published Oct 3, 2018 in Light: Science and Applications

Harvard researchers have invented a revolutionary and apparently inexpensive replacement for lenses used in the art and craft of photography, as well as in any field employing lenses for the visible spectrum.  Imagine you and your friends upgrading your ten-pound, $13K, Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lenses to new lenses as thin as sheets of paper.  According to the Harvard SEAS news item, “[t]he authors have filed patents and are actively pursuing commercial opportunities.” 

References.

Harvard SEAS – https://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2016/06/metalens-works-in-visible-spectrum-sees-smaller-than-wavelength-of-light

PetaPixel – http://petapixel.com/2016/06/03/incredible-flat-metalenses-may-future-optics/

BBC – http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36438686

This electron microscope image shows the structure of the lens (white line is 0.002mm long) (BBC)

Scanning electron microscope micrograph of the fabricated meta-lens.  The lens consists of titanium dioxide nanofins on a glass substrate.  (Harvard SEAS)