High-resolution digital integral photography by use of a scanning microlens array

Erdmann, Lars; Gabriel, K.J.

doi:10.1364/ao.40.005592

Cited by 112 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…[1][2][3][4] In order to reduce noise from the idle light that passes through lenslets intervals without focusing, and ensure high resolution and high signalto-noise-ratio optical imaging and detection, MLAs of both high numerical aperture ͑NA͒ and high fill factor are continuously pursued. However, technical realization of such MLAs remains challenging despite massive efforts 5-10 toward high fill factor 5-7 and high NA.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

High numerical aperture microlens arrays of close packing

Wu¹,

Wu²,

Niu³

et al. 2010

Applied Physics Letters

148

124

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Closed-packed high numerical aperture (NA) microlens arrays (MLA) are highly desirable for high resolution imaging and high signal-to-noise-ratio detection in micro-optical and integrated optical applications. However, realization of such devices remains technically challenging. Here, we report high quality fabrication of curved surfaces and MLAs by taking the full advantage of surface self-smoothing effect by creating highly reproducible voxels and by adopting an equal-arc scanning strategy. MLA of approximately 100% fill ratio and NA of 0.46, much greater than those ever reported, 0.13, is demonstrated, whose excellent optical performance was approved by the sharp focusing and high resolution imaging.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

High numerical aperture microlens arrays of close packing

Wu¹,

Wu²,

Niu³

et al. 2010

Applied Physics Letters

148

124

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“…Three dimensional imaging -also known as integral photography [95][96][97][98][99][100][101] -and displaying [102][103][104] can also be seen to have its archetype in natural apposition compound eyes because they are related to MLA imaging. Here the offset of all the micro-images with respect to the microlens origin is used to extract a depth information.…”

Section: State Of the Art Of Man-made Vision Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micro-optical artificial compound eyes

Duparré¹,

Wippermann²

2006

Bioinspir. Biomim.

152

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Natural compound eyes combine small eye volumes with a large field of view at the cost of comparatively low spatial resolution. For small invertebrates such as flies or moths, compound eyes are the perfectly adapted solution to obtaining sufficient visual information about their environment without overloading their brains with the necessary image processing. However, to date little effort has been made to adopt this principle in optics. Classical imaging always had its archetype in natural single aperture eyes which, for example, human vision is based on. But a high-resolution image is not always required. Often the focus is on very compact, robust and cheap vision systems. The main question is consequently: what is the better approach for extremely miniaturized imaging systems—just scaling of classical lens designs or being inspired by alternative imaging principles evolved by nature in the case of small insects? In this paper, it is shown that such optical systems can be achieved using state-of-the-art micro-optics technology. This enables the generation of highly precise and uniform microlens arrays and their accurate alignment to the subsequent optics-, spacing- and optoelectronics structures. The results are thin, simple and monolithic imaging devices with a high accuracy of photolithography. Two different artificial compound eye concepts for compact vision systems have been investigated in detail: the artificial apposition compound eye and the cluster eye. Novel optical design methods and characterization tools were developed to allow the layout and experimental testing of the planar micro-optical imaging systems, which were fabricated for the first time by micro-optics technology. The artificial apposition compound eye can be considered as a simple imaging optical sensor while the cluster eye is capable of becoming a valid alternative to classical bulk objectives but is much more complex than the first system.

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“…Many optical devices are integrated with microlens array, such as charged-coupled device (CCD) array, digital integral photography, solar-cell, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UVLEDs) and so on. [1][2][3][4][5] For fabrication of various kinds of the microlens arrays which satisfy specific requirements of each purpose, many researchers have been developing the fabrication processes of the micro-structures using diverse methods and materials. [6][7][8][9] One of the conventional methods is the thermal reflow process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%