New metamaterial hyperlens ‘represents major imaging advance’

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new metamaterial hyperlens with numerous potential applications spanning the life science and imaging fields.

A paper published in the journal Nature Communications has described how the team was able to use tiny slivers of gold and the transparent thermoplastic PMMA to create a radially-shaped lens to transform decaying evanescent waves into propagating waves, allowing data lost by conventional imaging techniques to be collected and transmitted.

Whereas modern high-resolution endoscopes can resolve objects to about 10,000 nanometres, the hyperlens could improve that to at least 250 nanometres or better, making it easier to find early signs of cancer.

The device also shows promise in sequencing single molecules or nanoelectronics manufacturing.

Dr Natalia Litchinitser, professor of electrical engineering at the University at Buffalo and the paper's lead author, said: "There is a great need in healthcare, nanotechnology and other areas to improve our ability to see tiny objects that elude even the most powerful optical systems."