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JSR and University of Tokyo develop low-cost manufacturing for flat lenses in sensing applications
Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 08:59 PM
JSR Corporation and the University of Tokyo have developed a cost-effective manufacturing process for flat lenses, targeting expansion into sensing applications.
Context
JSR Corporation and the University of Tokyo have developed a high-volume, low-cost manufacturing technique for flat optical lenses, targeting a major shift in the sensing and smartphone supply chains. By utilizing standard i-line stepper lithography and a proprietary color resist from JSR, the partnership has replaced expensive multi-step metalens production. The process enables the creation of ultra-thin lenses on 8-inch glass wafers through a single-step exposure and development cycle, bypassing the costly etching stages required by current alternatives.
These lenses focus visible light to a resolution of 1.1 microns, offering high performance in a significantly thinner form factor. This advancement is strategically timed as industries demand sophisticated sensing in compact devices like smartphones and medical hardware. By leveraging existing semiconductor infrastructure, JSR is positioned to disrupt traditional molded lens markets, with commercial adoption in sensing applications expected to gain significant momentum during 2026.
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