Monocentric Lens Research Articles

Optimization of two-glass monocentric lenses for compact panoramic imagers: general aberration analysis and specific designs: erratum

Optimization of two-glass monocentric lenses for compact panoramic imagers: general aberration analysis and specific designs: erratum

Optimization of two-glass monocentric lenses for compact panoramic imagers: general aberration analysis and specific designs

Monocentric lenses have recently changed from primarily a historic curiosity to a potential solution for panoramic high-resolution imagers, where the spherical image surface is directly detected by curved image sensors or optically transferred onto multiple conventional flat focal planes. We compare imaging and waveguide-based transfer of the spherical image surface formed by the monocentric lens onto planar image sensors, showing that both approaches can make the system input aperture and resolution substantially independent of the input angle. We present aberration analysis that demonstrates that wide-field monocentric lenses can be focused by purely axial translation and describe a systematic design process to identify the best designs for two-glass symmetric monocentric lenses. Finally, we use this approach to design an F/1.7, 12 mm focal length imager with an up to 160° field of view and show that it compares favorably in size and performance to conventional wide-angle imagers.

Space-bandwidth scaling for wide field-of-view imaging

We examine the space-bandwidth product of wide field-of-view imaging systems as the systems scale in size. Our analysis is based on one conducted to examine the behavior of a plano-convex lens imaging onto a flat focal geometry. We extend this to consider systems with monocentric lenses and curved focal geometries. As a means to understand system cost, and not just performance, we also assess the volume and mass associated with these systems. Our analysis indicates monocentric lenses imaging onto a curved detector outperform other systems for the same design constraints but do so at a cost in lens weight.

Computer experiment and global optimization of layered monocentric lens systems

In this paper we derive a general analytical solution for a monocentric lens system and present a global optimization method combining sequential design for global optimization and an expected improvement algorithm for global optimization for the design and analysis of a layered monocentric lens system, which provides an “intelligent” way to search the optimization space based on accumulated experience. We then apply these methods to an example of monocentric lens design, and explore the improvement in system performance obtained through increasing the system volume.

54.4: Wide Viewing Angle Autostereoscopic 3D Display

AbstractA spinning polygon mounted inside a mirrored cavity is used in conjunction with a monocentric lens to produce an autostereoscopic 3D display that has a viewing angle in excess of 90°. Inter‐view separation is sharp and well defined, indicating that a successful autostereoscopic 3D display can be made using this method.

Spherical Aberration of Monocentric Doublet Lenses

A computer programme has been compiled which, for given pairs of refractive indices, sets up a monocentric doublet lens of unit focal length having zero primary spherical aberration, and traces a marginal ray through the system at a relative aperture of f/8. The results, presented graphically, show the pairs of refraction index values that give minimum higher-order spherical aberration.