Abstract
High-resolution imaging and beam steering using 3 microlens arrays (MLA) is demonstrated. Small lateral displacement of one microlens array is sufficient for large angle beam steering. A prescan lens is added to the system to overcome the discrete addressing problem associated with microlens scanning systems. A hybrid method that uses both geometrical ray tracing optimization and physical optics simulation is introduced for the design and optimization of the MLA system. Feasibility of 1880 x 1880 resolution using f/2 aspherical MLAs and 752 x 752 resolution using f/5 spherical MLAs are demonstrated assuming 100 microm microlens pitch and 2mm clear aperture. The system is compact and suitable for endoscopic imaging and agile steering of large beams.
Highlights
Development of new fabrication technologies paves the way for applications of microlens arrays (MLAs) such as in optical interconnection, wavefront detection, and imaging systems
The discrete addressing limitation can be overcome by using a prescan lens (PSL) before the MLAs, continuous addressing with limited resolution was demonstrated and the results were recently reported by the authors [2]
Modulation transfer function (MTF) of the system can be utilized for evaluation of the spurious light in the MLA scanner system
Summary
Development of new fabrication technologies paves the way for applications of microlens arrays (MLAs) such as in optical interconnection, wavefront detection, and imaging systems. Design and optimization of the MLA based beam steering systems with high resolution (1880×1880) and diffraction-limited performance is reported using f/2 aspherical MLAs. Major contribution of this paper is in the demonstration of diffraction-limited 2-point resolution performance using f/2 lenses and beam steering angles as large as +/-0.25rad. Major contribution of this paper is in the demonstration of diffraction-limited 2-point resolution performance using f/2 lenses and beam steering angles as large as +/-0.25rad Such high-resolution can be achieved using small arrays and small deflections, high-speed beam steering is possible. While the paper is focused on angular beam steering, high resolution imaging can be accomplished by adding a large field-of-view focusing lens after the afocal telescopic system. Performances of optimized systems utilizing f/2 and f/5 aspherical and f/5 spherical MLAs are reported.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
