Angle selective metasurface for wide field imaging

High-throughput biological imaging systems increasingly demand larger fields of view (FoV) without compromising spatial or temporal resolution. Conventional imaging architectures are fundamentally constrained by negative correlations between FoV, resolution, and acquisition speed, resulting in substantial data-bandwidth limitations for large-area, high-content screening. Lens-array-based imaging has emerged as a promising approach to parallelize acquisition; however, severe crosstalk between adjacent lenslets necessitates computationally intensive deconvolution, introducing processing overhead and potential reconstruction artifacts.

This thesis explores an alternative hardware-level solution based on angle-selective metalens arrays, designed to intrinsically limit the angular acceptance of each imaging channel. Such metasurfaces can filter or multiplex angular components of incoming light, thereby suppressing inter-lenslet crosstalk and reducing dependence on algorithmic reconstruction. Recent advances in dielectric metasurface design enable controlled angle dispersion, multifunctional beam deflection, and symmetry-broken angle sensitivity, opening a pathway to compact, integrated, and fabrication-feasible angular filtering layers.

The research will focus on the design, simulation, and feasibility assessment of angle-selective metasurfaces. Key objectives include:
(1) identifying suitable materials and nanopattern geometries enabling sharp angular cutoff;
(2) modeling expected optical performance, transmission efficiency, and crosstalk reduction;
(3) evaluating fabrication tolerances and robustness to process variations; and
(4) benchmarking potential benefits relative to standard lens arrays and purely computational methods.

By maturing angle-dispersion metasurface concepts, this work aims to establish the foundation for next-generation imaging modules that achieve wide FoV, high resolution, and reduced computational load-ultimately enabling scalable, real-time biological screening at imec.

Type of internship: Master internship

Duration: 4

Required educational background: Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

University promotor: Pol Van Dorpe (KU Leuven)

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Florian Maudet ([email protected]) and Bruno Figeys ([email protected]) and Behrooz Semnani ([email protected])

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-060. Mention this reference code in your application.

Imec allowance will be provided.

Applications should include the following information:

• resume
• motivation
• current study

Incomplete applications will not be considered.