Mimicking Symmetry‐Breaking Einstein Ring by Optical Lens
The celebrated theory of general relativity has inspired research on optical simulations using artificial microstructures to mimic curved space–times. The gravitational lensing that bends light close to large mass concentrations is one of the most fascinating predictions by general relativity. Herei...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley-VCH
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Advanced Photonics Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202400203 |
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| Summary: | The celebrated theory of general relativity has inspired research on optical simulations using artificial microstructures to mimic curved space–times. The gravitational lensing that bends light close to large mass concentrations is one of the most fascinating predictions by general relativity. Herein, an optical lens is utilized to emulate the gravitational lensing effect and observe the Einstein ring (ER) patterns. The ER patterns and their spatial evolution with imaging distance, both experimentally and theoretically, are quantitatively studied. A profound example of the symmetry‐breaking ER, i.e., the Einstein cross, is observed utilizing a rotation‐symmetry‐breaking hemi‐ellipsoid lens. Based on the bending angle diagram, a series of deformed Einstein cross patterns induced by noncollinearly alignment of the light source–lens–observer are revealed. Inspired by the analogy between gravitational lensing and optical lens, a novel lens of nested concentric grooves is created and multi‐ER patterns are realized. The work provides an intriguing platform for exploring the unconventional gravitational lensing effect and may also find applications in optical ranging. |
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| ISSN: | 2699-9293 |