Super-resolution imaging and field of view extension using a single camera with Risley prisms.

Abstract

A novel imaging method using Risley prisms is proposed to achieve super-resolution imaging and field of view (FOV) extension. The mathematical models are developed, and the solutions to sub-pixel imaging for super-resolution reconstruction are presented. Simulations show that the proposed method can enhance the image resolution up to optical diffraction limit of the optical system for imaging systems whose resolution is limited by pixel size. A prototype is developed. Experimental results show that the scene resolving capacity can be enhanced by 2.0 times with a resolution improvement factor of 4, and the FOV extension results accord with the simulations, providing a promising approach for super-resolution reconstruction, large FOV imaging, and foveated imaging with low cost and high efficiency.