The lens is based on a ferroelectric material (lithium tantalate) that was fabricated with a stack of cylindrical-shaped domains.

When an external voltage is applied, the domains within the material behave like a concave or a convex lens depending on the direction of the external voltage. This means the incident laser light can be focused in one dimension. By positioning a similar device orthogonally to the first, the laser light can be focused in two dimensions.

Image credit: Mahesh Krishnamurthi