S. Korean scientists develop 'nano-sized lens'

SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- A team of South Korean scientists said Thursday it has
developed a nanolens in a breakthrough that could help obtain vivid, highly
improved images of objects exceeding the constraints of conventional optical
microscopes.

The Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) team, led by chemistry
professor Kim Kwang-soo, has found that organic molecules called calyx
hydroquinone (CHQ) turn themselves into cup-shaped nano-sized lenses when placed
on a surface.
If the size of the self-formed nanolens becomes similar to the wavelength of
light, it causes light to follow a curbed route through diffraction and
interference phenomena, resulting in a very short focal length.
Its magnification will therefore be improved sharply enough to view objects that
cannot be resolved with conventional optical lenses, the team explained.
The lens will likely have diverse applications, as it will allow scientists to
view and understand the fine structure of small objects and provide data on
optical patterns needed to develop nano devices, the team said.
The results of the research, funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology, were published in the latest issue of the science journal Nature.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)