Fundamental differences between the plenoptic sensor and the light field camera in imaging through turbulence

Abstract

Both the plenoptic sensor and the light field camera can be used to correct images distorted by turbulence. The underlying principle involves using the redundant light field information collected by these devices to discriminate and suppress random distortion in the images. The light field camera records multiple light rays that converges to each spatial point on the image plane, and the plenoptic sensor records multiple views per sub-angular space. Correspondingly, image filters and synthetic methods that are used in the two approaches are significantly different. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, we are the first to build a hybrid system to compare the differences between the two devices in their effectiveness for imaging through turbulence. We show through analysis and case-by-case experimental studies that the turbulence scenarios that fit the employment of a plenoptic sensor or a light field camera are significantly different. Based on our studies, we have summarized the rule of thumb to wisely use light field technology in imaging through turbulence.