In what could be a revolution in nanotechnology, a group of scientists have created a lens which is thinner than human hair, which is pegged as world’s thinnest lens.Australian scientists have claimed that they have developed a lens which is 2,000 times thinner than human hair.
The finished lens is 6.3 nanometres in size as compared to the previous smallest lens which was 50 nanometres thick.
ABC News reported that the lens, which is created by a team of researchers led by Yuerui 'Larry' Lu from Australian National University (ANU), could have revolutionary applications in medicine, science and technology and it could be used to create bendable computer screens.
"This type of material is the perfect candidate for future flexible displays," Lu said.
Another application of the Australian-made lens could be arrays of micro-lenses that mimic the compound eyes of insects.
Lu who led the Nano-Electro-Mechanical System (NEMS) Laboratory in ANU Research School of Engineering, said a crystal called molybdenum disulphide was the special ingredient.
Researchers shaved off layers of the crystal atom by atom in a bid to create an object with the domed shape of a lens and the delicate operation used an ion beam, something commonly used in electronics manufacturing.
At one stage in the process, scientists used sticky tape to peel off a sliver of crystal from which they crafted the final product.
Lu said manipulating the flow of light at an atomic scale could lead to unprecedented miniaturisation in the making of cameras.
(Image: ANU)