Fabrication and Characterization of Inhomogeneous Curved Artificial Compound Eye.

Fengli Liu,Xiaolei Diao,Lun Li,Zhongyuan Jiao,Yongping Hao

doi:10.3390/mi9050238

Abstract

Compared with the conventional compound eye processing method, a new fabrication method—namely, a mold casting method—was presented. This method is simple, low-cost, easy to implement, and can be reused. A bionic compound eye array model with 61 ommatidia arranged inhomogeneously onto a curved surface was fabricated. The curved surface had a radius of 9 mm and a thickness of 0.5 mm. The margin imaging quality was improved significantly by the analysis of light beam focus and the optical imaging properties of the fabricated compound eye. The sub-image of each ommatidium had a high resolution. There was 5% error between the collecting spot brightness and simulation analysis results, which proved that the production method is feasible.

Highlights

Compound eyes, found in certain arthropods such as insects and crustaceans, are composed of hundreds of “eyelets” within each eye
Laser lithographic fabrication was proposed by Pubo Qu. et al [16], in which a femtosecond laser-enhanced wet etching and casting process is followed by a thermomechanical process to convert the film into a hemispherical surface. He [17] developed a casting and embossing method based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication to make a curved surface artificial compound eye
The present work focused on improving the image quality for the margin ommatidia and developing a simple fabrication method for a curved surface bionic compound eye

Summary

Introduction

Found in certain arthropods such as insects and crustaceans, are composed of hundreds of “eyelets” within each eye. Laser lithographic fabrication was proposed by Pubo Qu. et al [16], in which a femtosecond laser-enhanced wet etching and casting process is followed by a thermomechanical process to convert the film into a hemispherical surface He [17] developed a casting and embossing method based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication to make a curved surface artificial compound eye. The present work focused on improving the image quality for the margin ommatidia and developing a simple fabrication method for a curved surface bionic compound eye. In this compound eye structure, the ommatidia sizes and interommatidia angles were inhomogeneous, and the corresponding parameters were optimized. The imaging performance and field of view of a visual system based on this inhomogeneous compound eye were evaluated, and high resolution for every ommatidium was guaranteed

Structure Design for Curved Surface Compound Eyes

Light Tracing

Fabrication of Non-Uniform Artificial Compound Eyes

Optical Testing

Findings

Conclusions