Geometry of imaging

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Context of the researchThe PhD student is part of a group that researches thin, micro-structured, sheet materials that change the direction of transmitted light rays. The mathematical relationship between the incident and outgoing light-ray directions, known as the generalised law of refraction, can be very general.The generalised laws of refraction that can be achieved at the moment include laws that enable very versatile imaging of all space, which in turn allows structures of the sheet materials to form transformation-optics devices.As part of EPSRC grants EP/M010724/1 and EP/M010767/1 we are in the process of exploring potential applications of transformation-optics devices formed from our sheet materials. One particularly simple application is to use our sheet materials in low-vision aids for patients with very poor eyesight. There are a number of difficulties to be overcome before we can build actual transformation-optics devices from our sheet materials, and we are working on doing just that. Should this succeed, then our way of realising transformation optics is a very simple approach with unique advantages. We are in the process of exploring potential applications for the technology.Aims and objectivesThe PhD project aims to extend work on the thin-sheet materials beyond that described in our EPSRC grants in a number of ways.Firstly, in collaboration with Prof. Tomas Tyc (Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic), we intend to simplify the design of transformation-optics devices. Furthermore, we will investigate the possibility of realising more general transformations.Secondly, in collaboration with Dr Simon Horsley (Exeter University), we intend to investigate the possibility of realising the generalised laws of refraction that are currently realised with micro-structured sheets with metasurfaces. This would allow the applications of our microstructured sheet materials to be realised without the shortcomings of these materials.