Design and Integration of the Single-Lens Curved Multi-Focusing Compound Eye Camera.

Kekai Tao,Yihui Wu,Xin Feng,Gaoge Lian,Yi Xing,Huaming Xing,Xiangdong Su,Yongshun Liu

doi:10.3390/mi12030331

Abstract

Compared with a traditional optical system, the single-lens curved compound eye imaging system has superior optical performance, such as a large field of view (FOV), small size, and high portability. However, defocus and low resolution hinder the further development of single-lens curved compound eye imaging systems. In this study, the design of a nonuniform curved compound eye with multiple focal lengths was used to solve the defocus problem. A two-step gas-assisted process, which was combined with photolithography, soft photolithography, and ultraviolet curing, was proposed for fabricating the ommatidia with a large numerical aperture precisely. Ommatidia with high resolution were fabricated and arranged in five rings. Based on the imaging experimental results, it was demonstrated that the high-resolution and small-volume single-lens curved compound eye imaging system has significant advantages in large-field imaging and rapid recognition.

Highlights

IntroductionOptical systems are developing in the direction of compact structures, integration, and large fields of view
Natural compound eyes have the characteristics of a large field of view, small size, and high sensitivity to moving objects [1]
As all the ommatidia are has arranged in circle, each3 ommatidium on theof same is symmetrical around the center and the same focal so it is sufficient to select one the analysis on each ring

Summary

Introduction

Optical systems are developing in the direction of compact structures, integration, and large fields of view. Natural compound eyes have the characteristics of a large field of view, small size, and high sensitivity to moving objects [1]. Inspired by natural compound eyes, bionic artificial compound eyes have become a focused area of research in recent years. The development of single-lens curved compound eye imaging systems has just started, and there are still some technical obstacles to be resolved, including the defocus between the lens and the image sensor and the size and resolution of the ommatidia of the artificial compound eye

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion