Miniaturized Single‐Photon Level Computational Complex Field Imaging System via Meta‐Optics

Compact optical systems are revolutionizing precision measurement with their miniaturized design and functionality. At the forefront of this revolution are metalenses, composed of sub‐wavelength nanostructures. They have emerged as novel planar optical elements capable of replacing traditional bulky lenses in various compact optical applications. Meanwhile, single‐pixel imaging provides a cost‐effective, computation‐based method for achieving exceptional imaging quality. In this work, a metalens is integrated with a single‐pixel imaging architecture to project high‐resolution Hadamard patterns onto microscopic samples, replacing conventional lens‐to‐detector configurations. The system can simultaneously retrieve high‐quality amplitude and phase maps of micro targets, even under single‐photon‐level illumination conditions (1.7 photons/pixel/s). This breakthrough is ideal for biological samples, particularly in live cell imaging, where minimizing light exposure is critical to avoid photobleaching and phototoxicity. By delivering a cost‐effective, compact, and high‐performance solution, this system sets a new era for precision imaging in science and industry.