Characterizing Meta-Lens Performance as a Function of Refractive Index

Sub-wavelength diffractive optics, commonly known as metasurfaces, have recently garnered significant attention for their ability to create ultra-thin flat lenses with extremely short focal lengths. Several materials with different refractive indices have been used to create meta-lenses. In this paper, we analyze the role of material refractive indices in the performance of a meta-lens. We employ both forward and inverse design methodologies to perform our analysis. We found that, while high refractive index materials allow for extreme reduction of the focal length, for moderate focal lengths and numerical aperture (<;0.6), there is no appreciable difference in focal spot-size and focusing efficiency for metalenses made of different materials with refractive indices between n= 1.25 to n=3.5.