Progressive superlenses for sensing systems

Abstract

A progressive superlens for a sensing system is disclosed. The superlens includes one or more regions of a nanostructure. A first region of the nanostructure guides a first field of view (FOV) of light incident on the first region of the nanostructure to a first region of an image plane. A second region of the nanostructure guides a second FOV of light incident on the second region of the nanostructure to a second region of the image plane, wherein the second FOV is different from the first FOV, and the second region of the image plane is different from the first region of the image plane. A third region of the nanostructure guides a third FOV of light to a third region of the image plane, wherein the third FOV is different from both the first and second FOVs, and the third region of the image plane is different from both the first and second regions of the image plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to image sensors. More specifically, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to progressive metalens. Progressive metalens can have different focal lengths and fields of view (FOV) in different regions of their structure. Background Technology

[0002] More detail is typically identified at the center of the field of view (FOV) of the human visual system, while only moving objects are usually detected at the periphery. This capability corresponds to the higher angular resolution at the center and lower angular resolution at the periphery of the FOV. In contrast, image sensors and cameras typically have a constant spatial / angular resolution across the entire FOV of the device. If the resolution of an image sensor or camera is high, the power consumed in reading out the sensed image data and processing that data may exceed the necessary power. Cameras with fisheye lenses have very wide FOVs; however, the spatial resolution at the center of a fisheye lens is low, which reduces the accuracy of object detection. Therefore, a very wide FOV for an image sensor or camera may not be the optimal overall solution. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An example embodiment provides a superlens that may include a first region of a nanostructure and a second region of a nanostructure. The first region of the nanostructure may guide a first field of view (FOV) of light incident on the first region of the nanostructure to a first region of an image plane. The second region of the nanostructure may guide a second FOV of light incident on the second region of the nanostructure to a second region of the image plane, wherein the second FOV may be different from the first FOV, and wherein the second region of the image plane may be different from the first region of the image plane. In one embodiment, the superlens may further include a third region of the nanostructure that may guide a third FOV of light incident on the third region of the nanostructure to a third region of the image plane, wherein the third FOV may be different from the first FOV and the second FOV, and wherein the third region of the image plane may be different from the first region and the second region of the image plane. In one embodiment, the first region of the nanostructure may be arranged around the second region of the nanostructure, and the second region of the nanostructure may be arranged around the third region of the nanostructure. In another embodiment, the first region of the nanostructure may be arranged adjacent to the second region of the nanostructure, and the third region of the nanostructure may be arranged adjacent to the second region of the nanostructure.

[0004] An example embodiment provides a superlens that may include a first region of nanostructures and a second region of nanostructures. The first region of the nanostructures may guide a first field of view (FOV) of light incident on the first region of the nanostructures to a first region of an image plane, and wherein the nanostructure of the first region of the nanostructures may include at least one layer of nanostructures formed on a substrate. The second region of the nanostructures may guide a second FOV of light incident on the second region of the nanostructures to a second region of the image plane, wherein the second FOV may be different from the first FOV, the second region of the image plane may be different from the first region of the image plane, and the nanostructure of the second region of the nanostructures may include at least one layer of nanostructures formed on a substrate. In one embodiment, the nanostructure of the first region of the nanostructures may be formed on a first surface of the substrate, and the nanostructure of the second region of the nanostructures may be formed on a first surface and a second surface of the substrate, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface. The substrate may be one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

[0005] An example embodiment provides a superlens that may include a first region of nanostructures and a second region of nanostructures. The first region of the nanostructures may guide a first field of view (FOV) of light incident on the first region of the nanostructures to a first region of an image plane, wherein the image plane may substantially coincide with the surface of an image sensor array. The second region of the nanostructures may guide a second FOV of light incident on the second region of the nanostructures to a second region of the image plane, wherein the second FOV may differ from the first FOV, and the second region of the image plane may differ from the first region of the image plane. In one embodiment, the superlens may further include a third region of nanostructures that may guide a third FOV of light incident on the third region of the nanostructures to a third region of the image plane, wherein the third FOV may differ from the first FOV and a second FOV, and the third region of the image plane may differ from the first and second regions of the image plane. Attached Figure Description

[0006] In the following sections, aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1A This shows an example FOV that can be seen by the driver of the vehicle;

[0008] Figure 1B Depicting the subject matter disclosed herein as corresponding to Figure 1A The illustration shows example arrangements of different FOVs for image sensors using progressive metalens;

[0009] Figure 2Another example illustrating how a progressive superlens, based on the subject matter disclosed herein, can alter the field of view (FOV) on the image plane of an image sensor;

[0010] Figure 3A An example embodiment of a progressive superlens based on the subject matter disclosed herein is depicted;

[0011] Figure 3B A top view of an example superlens based on the subject matter disclosed herein is depicted, illustrating that the superlens can have a shape that can be adapted to provide a field of view (FOV) for any application;

[0012] Figures 4A to 4C These are graphs showing the general diffraction and / or focusing of light passing through a superlens of the example shape;

[0013] Figures 5A to 5C Another example arrangement depicting the focal length of a superlens based on the subject disclosed herein;

[0014] Figure 6A An example radial arrangement depicting the focal length of a circular progressive superlens based on the subject matter disclosed herein;

[0015] Figure 6B Depicting the correspondence based on the subject disclosed herein Figure 6A An example arrangement of radially arranged nanostructures is depicted in the image.

[0016] Figure 7 Depicting the subject matter disclosed herein Figure 6A An example radial arrangement of the focal length of a circular progressive superlens depicted in the image;

[0017] Figure 8 Describing how nanostructures based on the subject matter disclosed herein can be constructed in Figure 6A A single or double layer on one or more substrates of a circular progressive superlens to spatially control the field of view (FOV); and

[0018] Figure 9 An electronic device comprising an imaging system according to the subject matter disclosed herein is described, the imaging system including a progressive superlens having different focal lengths and FOVs in different regions of the superlens. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the aspects disclosed may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0020] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "according to an embodiment" (or other phrases with similar meanings) appearing in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be combined in any suitable manner. In this regard, as used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not to be construed as necessarily preferred or superior to other embodiments. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be combined in any suitable manner. Furthermore, depending on the context discussed herein, singular terms may include corresponding plural forms, and plural terms may include corresponding singular forms. Similarly, hyphenated terms (e.g., "two-dimensional", "pre-determined", "specific pixel", etc.) may occasionally be used interchangeably with their corresponding non-hyphenated versions (e.g., "two-dimensional", "pre-determined", "specific pixel", etc.), and uppercase entries (e.g., "Counter Clock", "Row Select", "PIXOUT", etc.) may be used interchangeably with their corresponding non-uppercase versions (e.g., "counter clock", "row select", "pixout", etc.). Such occasional interchangeability should not be considered inconsistent with each other.

[0021] Furthermore, depending on the context of this discussion, singular terms may include their corresponding plural forms, and plural terms may include their corresponding singular forms. It should also be noted that the various figures shown and discussed herein (including component diagrams) are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Similarly, various waveform diagrams and timing diagrams are shown for illustrative purposes only. For example, for clarity, the size of some components may be exaggerated relative to others. Additionally, reference numerals are repeated in the figures where appropriate to indicate corresponding and / or similar components.

[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing some exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” are used in this specification, they specify the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., serve as labels for nouns that follow them and do not indicate any type of order (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.) unless so explicitly defined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals may be used between two or more figures to denote parts, components, blocks, circuits, units, or modules having the same or similar functions. However, such use is merely for simplification and ease of discussion and does not imply that the construction or structural details of such components or units are identical across all embodiments, or that such commonly referenced parts / modules are the only way to implement some of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0023] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "bonded to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly bonded to the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers present. Conversely, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly bonded to" another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers present. The same reference numerals always denote the same element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0024] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., serve as labels for nouns that follow them and do not indicate any kind of order (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.) unless explicitly defined as such. Furthermore, the same reference numerals may be used between two or more figures to denote parts, components, blocks, circuits, units, or modules having the same or similar functions. However, such use is merely for simplification and ease of discussion and does not imply that the construction or structural details of such components or units are identical across all embodiments, or that such commonly referenced parts / modules are the only way to implement some of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject pertains. It will also be understood that, unless clearly defined herein, terms (such as those defined in a general dictionary) shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalized manner.

[0026] As used herein, the term "module" means any combination of software, firmware, and / or hardware configured to provide the functionality described herein in conjunction with modules. For example, software may be implemented as a software package, code, and / or instruction set or instructions, and the term "hardware" as used in any implementation described herein may individually or in any combination include, for example, assemblies, hardwired circuit systems, programmable circuit systems, state machine circuit systems, and / or firmware storing instructions executed by the programmable circuit system. Modules may be implemented collectively or individually as circuit systems forming part of a larger system (e.g., but not limited to, integrated circuits (ICs), system-on-chips (SoCs), assemblies, etc.).

[0027] The subject matter disclosed herein provides a progressive metalens for imaging systems or camera systems. In one embodiment, the progressive metalens may have different focal lengths and FOVs in different regions of the metalens. For example, the angular resolution at the sides or periphery of the metalens may be compressed, while the center of the metalens has high resolution. That is, the central portion of the progressive metalens may have a relatively long focal length and a narrow FOV, while the side portions may have a shorter focal length and a wider FOV.

[0028] In one embodiment, the progressive metalens disclosed herein can provide a near-field FOV with a relatively magnified FOV having lower spatial resolution, while also providing a far-field FOV with higher spatial resolution and a lower FOV. The progressive metalens disclosed herein allows for monitoring a larger FOV for object detection, while also allowing for lower sensor spatial resolution with reduced processing power.

[0029] The progressive superlens disclosed herein provides improved object detection for far-field FOV while still enabling monitoring of a wide range of near-field FOV. This progressive superlens can be used in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), smartphones, cameras, mobile phones, industrial applications, robotics applications, etc., and can cover a combined large FOV, allowing many objects in a scene to be tracked.

[0030] The progressive superlens disclosed herein can be flexibly designed for various applications. A progressive superlens may comprise a single layer, two layers, or more layers of nanostructures, or a set of repeating nanostructures, to spatially change the field of view (FOV) along the superlens. In one embodiment, the progressive superlens disclosed herein may include discrete steps for different focal lengths, while in another embodiment, the progressive superlens may include a focal length that is typically continuously varied. In one embodiment, the progressive superlens disclosed herein may be fabricated on a flat or curved substrate surface using nanophotonics fabrication techniques.

[0031] Figure 1A This shows an example FOV that can be seen by the driver of the vehicle. Figure 1B Depicting the subject matter disclosed herein as corresponding to Figure 1A The diagram illustrates and provides examples of different FOV arrangements 100 for image sensors using progressive superlenses. Arrangement 100 may include one or more regions of FOVs 101 to 103. The far FOV region 101 provides a relatively long focal length and a relatively narrow FOV. The middle FOV region 102 provides a shorter focal length and a wider FOV compared to the focal length and FOV provided by one or more far FOV regions 101. The near FOV region 103 provides a relatively short focal length and a relatively wide FOV. In one embodiment, the FOV arrangement 100 may be used by an imaging system to cover a large near-field FOV (i.e., near FOV region 103), while providing improved spatial resolution for the middle and near FOVs (i.e., middle FOV regions 102 and near FOV regions 103), and providing high resolution for the far-field FOV (i.e., far FOV region 101). In one embodiment, the progressive superlens may include a field of view (FOV) region corresponding to regions 101 to 103 of arrangement 100 by having sublens regions that can be changed in discrete steps or gradually changed on the superlens.

[0032] Figure 2 Another example illustrating how a progressive superlens can alter the field of view (FOV) on the image plane of an image sensor. Figure 2 The upper right corner shows an example FOV that can be seen by the vehicle's driver. Figure 2 The upper left portion of the focal plane 201 of the superlens (also not shown) is shown relative to the image plane 202 of the image sensor (not shown). The focal plane 201 is parallel to the image seen by the driver of the vehicle (and...). Figure 2 The image plane 202 is at an angle to the focal plane 201. Therefore, the viewpoint makes the image plane 202 appear to be trapezoidal.

[0033] exist Figure 2 The lower left corner depicts the focal plane 201 and the image plane 202. Figure 2 The viewpoint (i.e., the portion of image plane 202 viewed from a point perpendicular to (i.e., orthogonal to) the surface (and page) of image plane 202. From this viewpoint, Figure 2 The focal plane 201 in the image appears to be trapezoidal in shape. The focal plane of a progressive superlens can be based on... Figure 2 The focal plane 201 is used for arrangement. Figure 2 The lower right corner shows the method based on Figure 2 An image focused on image plane 202 by a progressive superlens arranged at focal plane 201. Distortions in the image at the image plane that may be caused by the progressive superlens can be seen.

[0034] Figure 3A An example embodiment of a progressive superlens 300 according to the subject matter disclosed herein is depicted. The superlens 300 may include one or more nanostructures 301 formed on a substrate 302 (such as glass) or another transparent substrate (such as plastic or any low-index organic / inorganic material that is optically transparent in visible NIR (400 nm to 1000 nm)). The nanostructure 301 may be referred to herein as a scatterer and / or a nanoantenna. The substrate 302 of the superlens 300 may be flat or curved and may be formed, for example, as a cover for a sensor chip 303, may form part of a main lens assembly (not shown), or as... Figure 3A As shown, it is formed as a separate component. In one embodiment, the superlens 300 may be a module or component that is part of an optical stack, such as an imaging system or camera.

[0035] The superlens 300 can diffract and / or focus incident light 304 onto a pixel array 305 on the sensor chip 303. In one embodiment, the pixel array 305 may include an optional microlens 406. The pixel array 305 may be a single pixel array or multiple pixel arrays arranged to receive light diffracted and / or focused by the superlens 300. In one embodiment, the pixel array 305 may be one or more separate 2D pixel arrays and 3D pixel arrays. In another embodiment, the pixel array 305 may be one or more hybrid 2D pixel arrays and 3D pixel arrays. Peripheral components 307 supporting the pixel array may also be formed on the sensor chip 303.

[0036] Figure 3B A top view of an example superlens 410 is depicted, illustrating that the superlens can have a shape suitable for providing a field of view (FOV) for any application. The placement of the nanostructure 311 on the superlens 310 can also be adapted to provide one or more FOVs for any application.

[0037] Figures 4A to 4CThese are graphs showing the general diffraction and / or focusing of light passing through a superlens of the example shape. Figures 4A to 4C The units for the x-coordinate (z) and y-coordinate (y) of each element are millimeters. Figure 4A This illustrates the general diffraction / focusing characteristics of a plano-convex-shaped superlens. Figure 4B This illustrates the general diffraction / focusing characteristics of a flat superlens. Figure 4C This illustrates the general diffraction / focusing characteristics of an aplanatic superlens. Figures 4A to 4C In the middle, light is incident from the left onto the main lens 501 and superlenses 502a to 502c, and is diffracted / focused to the right.

[0038] Figures 5A to 5C Another example arrangement depicting the focal length of a superlens based on the subject disclosed herein. Figure 5A Example arrangements 500 of different FOVs for image sensors using progressive superlenses, based on the subject matter disclosed herein, are depicted. Arrangement 500 corresponds to... Figure 1B The arrangement is 100.

[0039] Figure 5B The image plane of the image sensor is depicted by diffraction / focusing of light onto it using a progressive superlens. A first region 501 of the image plane corresponds to a relatively long focal length and a relatively narrow field of view (FOV) (i.e., the "far" region of arrangement 500). A second region 502 of the image plane corresponds to a shorter focal length and a wider FOV than the first region 501 (i.e., the "middle" region of arrangement 500). A third region 503 of the image plane corresponds to a relatively short focal length and a relatively wide FOV (i.e., the "near" region of arrangement 500). Figure 5C The image depicts three FOV regions, including distortions that can be added by a progressive superlens. In one example, the image plane may coincide with the surface of the image sensor array.

[0040] Figure 6A An example radial arrangement of the focal length of a circular progressive superlens 600 according to the subject matter disclosed herein is depicted. A near-focal length region 601 may be arranged on the outside surrounding the circular superlens 600. A mid-focal length region 602 may be arranged inside the near-focal length region 601. A telephoto focal length region 603 may be arranged near the center of the circular superlens 600. The individual regions 601 to 603 can be of any size to adjust the horizontal and vertical (H×V) angular resolution of the image sensor (not shown). The global shape can be any shape that spatially adjusts the field of view (FOV).

[0041] exist Figure 6AIn the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate focal length region 602 may be surrounded by the near focal length region 601, and the far focal length region 603 may be surrounded by the intermediate focal length region 602. In other embodiments, the size and shape of different regions may be selected based on the application. Additionally, in other embodiments, any number of different focal length regions may be used. In one example, the intermediate focal length region 602 may be arranged adjacent to the near focal length region 601, and the far focal length region 603 may be arranged adjacent to the intermediate focal length region 602.

[0042] Figure 6B Describing corresponds to Figure 6A An example arrangement 604 of radially arranged nanostructures is depicted. Images 605 to 607 depict the phase of the images at the image planes corresponding to the respective regions 601 to 603.

[0043] Figure 7 Depicting the subject matter disclosed herein Figure 6A The circular progressive superlens 600 depicted is arranged radially with varying focal lengths. Different shades of gray correspond to different focal lengths. Nanostructures 701 formed on the superlens 700 focus incident light 702 at different locations on the image plane 703. In one example, a region 601 of the nanostructure can guide a first field of view (FOV) of light incident on that region 601 to a first region of the image plane 703 corresponding to the first FOV. Here, the first FOV may represent the FOV provided by region 601.

[0044] Figure 8 Describing how the nanostructure 701, based on the subject matter disclosed herein, can be constructed in Figure 6A A single or double layer of a circular progressive superlens 600 is formed on one or more substrates 800a to 800c to spatially control the field of view (FOV). Different shades of gray correspond to different focal lengths. In one example, nanostructures 701 formed on substrates 800a to 800c may correspond to regions 601 to 603, respectively. In one example, region 601 may be formed on the upper surface of substrate 800a, region 602 may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of substrate 800b, and region 603 may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of substrate 800c. In one example, each of regions 601 to 603 may include at least one layer of nanostructure formed on the substrate.

[0045] Figure 9The electronic device 900, comprising an imaging system according to the subject matter disclosed herein, includes a progressive superlens having different focal lengths and fields of view (FOV) in different regions of the superlens. The electronic device 900 can be used in, but is not limited to, computing devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, mobile computers, network tablet computers, wireless phones, cellular phones, smartphones, digital music players, or wired or wireless electronic devices. The electronic device 900 can also be part of, but is not limited to, ADAS, mobile device imaging systems, industrial imaging systems, robots, etc. The electronic device 900 may include a controller 910, input / output devices 920 (such as, but not limited to, a keypad, keyboard, display, touchscreen display, camera, and / or image sensor), a memory device 930, an interface 940, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 950, and an image processor 960, all interconnected via a bus 970. The controller 910 may include, for example, at least one microprocessor, at least one digital signal processor, at least one microcontroller, etc. The memory device 930 may be configured to store user data or command codes to be used by the controller 910.

[0046] Electronic device 900 and its various system components may include image processor 960. In one embodiment, image processor 960 may be part of an imaging system including a progressive superlens. According to the subject matter disclosed herein, the progressive superlens may have different focal lengths and fields of view (FOV) in different regions of the superlens. Interface 940 may be configured to include a wireless interface configured to transmit data to or receive data from a wireless communication network using RF signals. Wireless interface 940 may include, for example, an antenna, a wireless transceiver, etc. Electronic device 900 can also be used in communication interface protocols of communication systems, such as, but not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), North American Digital Communications (NADC), Extended Time Division Multiple Access (ETDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, Wi-Fi, Muni Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Wireless Universal Serial Bus (Wireless USB), Fast Low Latency Access with Seamless Switching (Flash-OFDM), IEEE 802.20, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), iBurst, Wireless Broadband (WiBro), WiMAX, Advanced WiMAX, Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service - Time Division Duplex (UMTS-TDD), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved Data Optimized (EVDO), Advanced Long Term Evolution (Advanced LTE), Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS), etc.

[0047] Embodiments of the subject matter and operations described in this specification may be implemented in digital electronic circuit systems, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware (including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents), or in one or more combinations thereof. Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented as one or more computer programs (i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions) encoded on a computer storage medium to be executed by or to control the operation of a data processing device. Optionally or additionally, the program instructions may be encoded on artificially generated propagating signals (e.g., electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signals generated by a machine to be generated as encoded information for transmission to a receiver device suitable for execution by the data processing device). The computer storage medium may be a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination thereof, or may be included in a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, although the computer storage medium is not a propagating signal, it may be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in artificially generated propagating signals. Computer storage media may also be one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices), or may be included in one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices). Furthermore, the operations described herein can be implemented as operations performed by a data processing device on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.

[0048] While this specification may contain numerous specific details of implementation, such details should not be construed as limiting the scope of any claimed subject matter, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Specific features described in the context of individual embodiments in this specification may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. Furthermore, although features may be described above as functioning in a particular combination or even initially claimed in this way, in some cases one or more features from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may be for sub-combinations or variations thereof.

[0049] Similarly, although operations are depicted in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this should not be construed as requiring such operations to be performed in the specific order shown or in a sequential order, or to perform all the shown operations to achieve the desired result. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0050] Therefore, specific embodiments of the subject matter have been described herein. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions set forth in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific or sequential order shown to achieve the desired result. In certain embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0051] As those skilled in the art will recognize, the innovative concepts described herein can be modified and varied across a wide range of applications. Therefore, the scope of the claimed subject matter should not be limited to any particular exemplary teachings discussed above, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A superlens, comprising: The first region of the nanostructure guides the first field of view of light incident on the first region of the nanostructure to the first region of the image plane; and The second region of the nanostructure guides a second field of view of light incident on it to a second region of the image plane. This second field of view differs from the first field of view, and the second region of the image plane differs from the first region of the image plane. Wherein, the first field of view represents the field of view provided by the first region of the nanostructure, and the second field of view represents the field of view provided by the second region of the nanostructure. The first region of the nanostructure comprises a single layer of nanostructures formed on the substrate, and the second region of the nanostructure comprises two layers of nanostructures formed on the substrate. The first layer of nanostructure in the first region is formed on the first surface of the substrate, and the two layers of nanostructure in the second region are formed on the first and second surfaces of the substrate, respectively, with the second surface facing away from the first surface.

2. The superlens according to claim 1, further comprising: The third region of the nanostructure guides the third field of view of light incident on the third region of the nanostructure to the third region of the image plane. The third field of view is different from the first and second fields of view, and the third region of the image plane is different from the first and second regions of the image plane.

3. The superlens according to claim 2, wherein, The second region of the nanostructure is arranged around the first region of the nanostructure, and the third region of the nanostructure is arranged around the second region of the nanostructure.

4. The superlens according to claim 2, wherein, The first region of the nanostructure is arranged adjacent to the second region of the nanostructure, and the third region of the nanostructure is arranged adjacent to the second region of the nanostructure.

5. The superlens according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The image plane coincides with the surface of the image sensor array. The superlens is circular.

6. The superlens according to claim 1, wherein, The substrate includes either a flat surface or a curved surface.

7. The superlens according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The superlens is part of an advanced driver assistance system, a smartphone, or a camera.

8. A superlens, comprising: A first region of a nanostructure, a first field of view of light incident on the first region of the nanostructure is directed to a first region of an image plane, the first region of the nanostructure comprising at least one layer of nanostructure formed on a substrate; and The second region of the nanostructure guides a second field of view of light incident on the second region of the nanostructure to a second region of the image plane. The second field of view differs from the first field of view, and the second region of the image plane differs from the first region of the image plane. The second region of the nanostructure includes at least one layer of nanostructure formed on a substrate. Wherein, the first field of view represents the field of view provided by the first region of the nanostructure, and the second field of view represents the field of view provided by the second region of the nanostructure. The first region of the nanostructure comprises a single layer of nanostructures formed on the substrate, and the second region of the nanostructure comprises two layers of nanostructures formed on the substrate. In this structure, the first layer of nanostructure in the first region is formed on the first surface of the substrate, and the two layers of nanostructure in the second region are formed on the first and second surfaces of the substrate, respectively, with the second surface facing away from the first surface. The first region of the nanostructure is arranged near the center of the superlens.

9. The superlens according to claim 8, wherein, The substrate includes either a flat surface or a curved surface.

10. The superlens according to claim 8, further comprising: The third region of the nanostructure guides the third field of view of light incident on the third region of the nanostructure to the third region of the image plane. The third field of view is different from the first and second fields of view, and the third region of the image plane is different from the first and second regions of the image plane.

11. The superlens according to claim 10, wherein, The second region of the nanostructure is arranged around the first region of the nanostructure, and the third region of the nanostructure is arranged around the second region of the nanostructure.

12. The superlens according to claim 10, wherein, The first region of the nanostructure is arranged adjacent to the second region of the nanostructure, and the third region of the nanostructure is arranged adjacent to the second region of the nanostructure.

13. The superlens according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein, The image plane coincides with the surface of the image sensor array.

14. The superlens according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein, The superlens is part of an advanced driver assistance system, a smartphone, or a camera.

15. A superlens, comprising: The first region of the nanostructure guides the first field of view of light incident on the first region of the nanostructure to the first region of the image plane, which coincides with the surface of the image sensor array. and The second region of the nanostructure guides a second field of view of light incident on it to a second region of the image plane. This second field of view differs from the first field of view, and the second region of the image plane differs from the first region of the image plane. Wherein, the first field of view represents the field of view provided by the first region of the nanostructure, and the second field of view represents the field of view provided by the second region of the nanostructure. The first region of the nanostructure comprises a single layer of nanostructures formed on the substrate, and the second region of the nanostructure comprises two layers of nanostructures formed on the substrate. The first layer of nanostructure in the first region is formed on the first surface of the substrate, and the two layers of nanostructure in the second region are formed on the first and second surfaces of the substrate, respectively, with the second surface facing away from the first surface.

16. The superlens according to claim 15, further comprising: The third region of the nanostructure guides the third field of view of light incident on the third region of the nanostructure to the third region of the image plane. The third field of view is different from the first and second fields of view, and the third region of the image plane is different from the first and second regions of the image plane.

17. The superlens according to claim 16, wherein, The superlens is part of an advanced driver assistance system, a smartphone, or a camera.

Images