Abstract
The field-of-view (FOV) of a simple imaging system can be dramatically improved using a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). A SLM can be used to correct the off-axis aberrations that often limit the useful FOV of an imaging system giving near diffraction-limited performance at much larger field angles than would otherwise be possible. Foveated imaging refers to the variation in spatial resolution across the image caused by using the SLM in this application, and it is useful in reducing bandwidth requirements for data transmission.
Highlights
Wide field-of-view (FOV) optical systems have always been a challenge for optical designers
There is an increasing demand for small, lightweight imaging systems with a wide FOV, with applications in tracking, surveillance, threat detection, and other areas that could benefit by using such systems
We demonstrated a foveated imaging system experimentally, using a 512 × 512 pixels reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) and an off-the-shelf plano-convex lens [5]
Summary
Wide field-of-view (FOV) optical systems have always been a challenge for optical designers. Such systems generally require severe “bending” of the rays in order to form an image of the wide-angle object. To avoid this abrupt bending of rays, which introduces aberrations, wide-angle lenses tend to be complex designs, with multiple elements [1]. These systems end up being heavy, bulky, and expensive. There is an increasing demand for small, lightweight imaging systems with a wide FOV, with applications in tracking, surveillance, threat detection, and other areas that could benefit by using such systems
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