Multilevel Diffractive Lenses: Recent Advances and Applications

Multilevel diffractive lenses (MDLs) has undergone considerable advancements, marked by their exceptional efficiency and diverse focusing capabilities, resulting in their widespread use in optical systems. In recent times, MDLs have consistently been juxtaposed with metalenses, which have experienced swift progress over the last decade. Concurrently, MDLs have continued to evolve, propelled by their distinct advantages, such as cost-effective production and adaptability for mass manufacturing. This article explores the evolution and foundational concepts of MDLs, highlighting the advantages of their circular symmetry in enhancing simulation and optimization efficiency. Furthermore, we present several innovative fabrication methods for MDLs that capitalize on the latest advancements in 3D printing technology. We also show the practical applications and potential future developments of MDLs.