Graphene metasurfaces: Advances in lens applications, design strategies, and fabrication techniques

Abstract

This review comprehensively examines the recent advancements in graphene-based metasurface lenses, shedding light on their innovative design principles, advanced manufacturing techniques, and superior optical properties. Graphene's exceptional electrical, mechanical, and optical characteristics, combined with the versatile functionality of metamaterials and metasurfaces, have led to the development of highly efficient and dynamic lens systems. These lenses demonstrate remarkable capabilities, including tunable focal lengths, enhanced light modulation, and improved photodetection sensitivity. Such properties render them highly suitable for transformative applications in diverse fields like high-resolution imaging, precision sensing, and next-generation telecommunications. The review provides an in-depth analysis of the state-of-the-art methods used in the fabrication of these lenses, such as chemical vapor deposition, advanced lithography, and nanomanufacturing, to achieve nanoscale precision and functional integration. Moreover, the challenges associated with large-scale production scalability, fabrication techniques' complexity, and graphene's long-term stability under varying environmental conditions are critically examined. In exploring these aspects, the review identifies key directions for future research, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome current limitations. By addressing these challenges and leveraging advancements in material science and nanotechnology, graphene-based metasurface lenses have the potential to revolutionize the future of optical lens systems and photonic technologies.