Imaging system and method for generating composite image

Abstract

To provide an imaging system and a method for generating a composite image.SOLUTION: An imaging system includes one or more lens assemblies combined with a sensor. Once light reflected by an object is made incident on the imaging system, light is generated by filtering incident light of a metalens filter system, and converted into a composite image by a sensor corresponding thereto. Each metalens filter system converges the light to a specific wavelength to generate a metalens image. The metalens image is sent to a processor, which combines metalens images into one or more composite images. The metalens images are combined into the composite images having chromatic aberrations reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and a method, and more particularly, to an imaging system and a method for generating a synthetic image.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Imaging systems used for taking pictures are common in the art in various applications including cameras and scanners. Imaging systems typically include multiple lenses, compound lenses, and films to reduce aberrations caused by lens imperfections. The refractive index of most transparent materials decreases as the wavelength increases. Since the focal length of a lens depends on the refractive index, this variation in refractive index affects focusing and results in chromatic aberration. A lens with chromatic aberration causes "bands" of color along the boundaries separating the dark and bright portions of an image.

[0003]

[0003] To address chromatic aberration, compound lenses with multiple lens layers are often used to minimize or preferably completely remove chromatic aberration within an image. However, compound lenses include multiple lenses stacked vertically and thus often cause bulkiness and lens extrusion problems in smartphones and other devices. Furthermore, conventional infrared (IR) lenses have limited material selection due to the low refractive index of commonly used materials.

[0004]

[0004] Metasurfaces are much smaller than traditional lenses and compound lenses (sizes and thicknesses are often less than 1 μm on the microscale and nanoscale) and show promise for replacing conventional lenses in various imaging applications. Metasurface manufacturing is also compatible with conventional semiconductor manufacturing. One drawback of metasurfaces is that they suffer from even more severe chromatic aberration than conventional lenses. Metasurfaces are typically only useful for light of extremely narrow wavelengths and thus cannot be used for full-color images.

[0005]

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method that can utilize a metalens over a wide range of optical wavelengths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

[0006] In one embodiment, an imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes one or more lens assemblies. Each lens assembly includes a plurality of metalens filter systems. The plurality of metalens filter systems includes a plurality of metalenses and a plurality of color filters. Each color filter is coupled with one of the plurality of metalenses, and the central pass-through wavelength of the color filter is the same as the working wavelength of the corresponding metalens. Further, each lens assembly includes a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is coupled with a metalens filter system. Further, the imaging system includes a controller. The controller includes a processor configured to combine metalens images from each of the plurality of metalenses into a composite image.

[0007]

[0007] In another embodiment, an imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes one or more lens assemblies. Each lens assembly includes a plurality of metalens filter systems. The plurality of metalens filter systems includes a plurality of metalenses and a plurality of color filters. Each color filter is coupled with one of the plurality of metalenses, and the central pass-through wavelength of the color filter is the same as the working wavelength of the corresponding metalens. Further, each lens assembly includes a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is coupled with a metalens filter system. Further, the imaging system includes a controller. The controller includes a processor configured to combine metalens images from each of the plurality of metalenses into a composite image. The plurality of metalens filter systems includes at least one red metalens filter system, at least one green metalens filter system, and at least one blue metalens filter system.

[0008]

[0008] In another embodiment, an imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes one or more lens assemblies. Each lens assembly includes a focusing lens and a meta-lens assembly including a plurality of meta-lenses. Further, the imaging system includes a sensor coupled to the one or more lens assemblies and a controller. The controller includes a processor configured to combine meta-lens images from each of the plurality of meta-lenses into a composite image. The plurality of meta-lenses includes at least one red meta-lens, at least one green meta-lens, and at least one blue meta-lens.

[0009]

[0009] In another embodiment, a method for generating one or more composite images is provided. The method includes exposing an imaging system including one or more lens assemblies to light. Each lens assembly includes a plurality of meta-lens filter systems. The plurality of meta-lens filter systems includes a plurality of meta-lenses and a plurality of color filters. Each color filter is coupled to one of the plurality of meta-lenses, and a center pass wavelength of the color filter is the same as an operating wavelength of the corresponding meta-lens. Further, the plurality of meta-lens filter systems includes at least one red meta-lens, at least one green meta-lens, and at least one blue meta-lens. Further, each lens assembly includes a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is coupled to a meta-lens filter system. Light passes through the plurality of meta-lens filter systems such that each of the plurality of meta-lens filter systems generates a meta-lens image. Further, the method includes exposing the plurality of sensors to each of the plurality of meta-lens images, where the sensors are coupled to the meta-lens filter systems, sending the plurality of meta-lens images to a processor, and using the processor to combine the plurality of meta-lens images into one or more composite images.

[0010]

[0010] The imaging system mitigates any chromatic aberration caused by the metalens. This is because each of the metalenses focuses light into different wavelength ranges, generating individual metalens images. The metalens images are combined to form a composite image, thus reducing chromatic aberration in the final image.

[0011]

[0011] To enable a detailed understanding of the above-described features of the present disclosure, a more detailed description of the embodiments briefly summarized above can be obtained by referring to the embodiments, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that since the present disclosure may admit other equally effective embodiments, the accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1A

[0012] An imaging system according to one embodiment is shown.

Figure 1B

[0013] The arrangement of one or more lens assemblies according to some embodiments is shown.

Figure 1C

Figure 1D

Figure 1E

Figure 2A

[0014] The arrangement of a metalens filter system according to some embodiments is shown.

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

[0015] A top view of a portion of a plurality of metalens features according to one embodiment is shown.

Figure 3B

[0016] A side view of a portion of a plurality of metalens features according to one embodiment is shown.

Figure 4

[0017] It is a flowchart of method operations for generating a synthetic image according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013]

[0018] For ease of understanding, where possible, the same reference numbers have been used to denote the same elements common to multiple figures. The elements and features of one embodiment are considered to be beneficially incorporated into other embodiments without additional description.

[0014]

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein include an imaging system using one or more lens assemblies and a method of generating one or more synthetic images. The imaging system is exposed to light reflected from an object, and the light is filtered through a plurality of metalens filter systems. Metalens images generated from focused light of a specific narrow wavelength by a plurality of sensors are then combined to form a synthetic image. The resulting synthetic image is substantially free of chromatic aberration. Embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein may be useful, but not limited to, imaging systems and methods thereof used to generate synthetic images using metalenses.

[0015]

[0020] As used herein, the term "about" refers to a variation of + / - 10% from the nominal value. It should be understood that such variations may be included in any value provided herein.

[0016]

[0021] FIG. 1A shows an imaging system 100 according to one embodiment. As shown, the imaging system 100 includes a controller 190 and one or more lens assemblies 125. As shown, the one or more lens assemblies 125 include a base 121, a plurality of meta-lens filter systems 135, and a plurality of sensors 140. The lens assembly 125 can have a width from about 100 μm to about 15 mm. The width between the lens assemblies 125 can vary depending on the application. For example, the width between the lens assemblies 125 can be modified to take a traditional two-dimensional image or increased to take a three-dimensional or stereoscopic image.

[0017]

[0022] This portion of the disclosure describes exposing the imaging system 100 to white light, which is an example, and it should be understood that the imaging system 100 can be exposed to light of any spectrum including, but not limited to, white light, visible light, or pre-filtered light.

[0018]

[0023] The metalens filter system 135 is disposed within the base 121. As shown, the metalens filter system 135 includes a metalens 120 and a color filter 122. The metalens 120 converges light of a specific wavelength at a selected focal length of the metalens. The color filter 122 is disposed below the metalens 120. The center passing wavelength of the color filter 122 is the same as the operating wavelength of the corresponding metalens 120. For example, a red metalens 120R with a focal length of about 1 cm converges red light at a distance of about 1 cm from the metalens 120R. Then, a red color filter 122R filters non-red light from the image generated by the red metalens 120R, and this filtered image is incident on the sensor 140R, resulting in a metalens image detected by the sensor, which mostly contains red light from the original object. An adjacent green metalens 120G having the same focal length as the red metalens 120R converges green light at a distance of about 1 cm from the metalens 120G. Then, a green color filter 122G filters non-green light from the image generated by the green metalens 120G, and this filtered image is incident on the sensor 140G, resulting in a metalens image detected by the sensor, which mostly contains green light from the original object. The metalens images are then combined to create a composite image, which is described in more detail below. As a result, each lens assembly 125 can have a single focal length that may be different from those of the other lens assemblies 125, 125'.

[0019]

[0024] FIG. 1A shows white light incident on the metalens 120 before the focused light converges on the color filter 122. However, the color filter may be disposed in front of the metalens, and as a result, the white light is filtered by the color filter before the filtered light is incident on the metalens 120. The color filter 122 may be any one used in the art, such as a Bayer filter. The color filter 122 may itself be a metalens or a metasurface. Further, the metalens 120 may include a stack of individual metalenses grown with a transparent substrate such as glass or plastic sandwiched therebetween.

[0020]

[0025] According to some embodiments, one or more lens assemblies 125, 125' have different focal lengths, and the lens assemblies constitute a variable focal length lens system. The focal length of the lens assembly 125 can vary from about 0.5 mm to about 2000 mm. Due to the different focal lengths, the imaging system 100 can accurately image objects at various distances. For example, the lens assembly 125 has a focal length of about 0.5 mm, enabling the imaging system 100 to image an object very close to it, and the lens assembly 125' has a focal length of 2000 mm, enabling the imaging system 100 to image an object very far from it.

[0021]

[0026] Figures 1B - 1E illustrate the arrangement of one or more lens assemblies 125 according to several embodiments. Figure 1B shows an imaging system 100 having one lens assembly 125. Figure 1C shows an imaging system 100 having two lens assemblies 125. Figure 1D shows an imaging system 100 having four lens assemblies 125 in a 2x2 grid pattern. Figure 1E shows an imaging system 100 having n x n' lens assemblies 125, where n and n' are arbitrary integers. n and n' may be the same number or different numbers. The lens assemblies 125 can be arranged in any suitable pattern, such as a grid, spiral, circle, or any other suitable shape as shown in Figure 1D, but are not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1C, there are four lens assemblies 125 arranged in a grid pattern. Within the grid, the lens assemblies 125 can have a spacing a in the y - direction and a spacing b in the x - direction. The spacing a and the spacing b may be the same or different. The lens assemblies 125 can be spaced apart by an interval ranging from about 500 μm to about 10 cm depending on the purpose of the imaging system 100. For example, in single - image capture, the lens assemblies 125 can be spaced apart by an interval ranging from about 500 μm to about 3 cm. In multiple - image capture, the lens assemblies 125 can be spaced apart by an interval ranging from about 3 cm to about 15 cm.

[0022]

[0027] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show the arrangement of the metasurface filter system 135 according to some embodiments. The metasurface filter system 135 includes at least one red metasurface filter system 135R, at least one green metasurface filter system 135G, and at least one blue metasurface filter system 135B. For example, the green metasurface filter system includes a green metasurface 120G and a green color filter 122G. According to one embodiment, the metasurface filter system 135 includes at least two green metasurface filter systems 135G. The red metasurface filter system 135R filters white light, leaving red light with a wavelength from about 600 nm to about 700 nm. The green metasurface filter system 135G filters white light, leaving green light with a wavelength from about 500 nm to about 560 nm. The blue metasurface filter system 135B filters white light, leaving blue light with a wavelength from about 440 nm to about 490 nm.

[0023]

[0028] FIG. 2A shows the red metasurface filter system 135R, the green metasurface filter system 135G, and the blue metasurface filter system 135B. The green metasurface filter system 135G is arranged between the red metasurface filter system 135R and the blue metasurface filter system 135B. By arranging the metasurface filter system 135 in this configuration, the total area of the metasurface filter system can be reduced, and the size of the lens assembly 125 can be reduced.

[0024]

[0029] Figure 2B shows the red metalens filter system 135R, two green metalens filter systems 135G, and the blue metalens filter system 135B. In the illustrated configuration, four metalens filter systems 135 are arranged in a grid pattern. According to one embodiment, the red metalens filter system 135R is arranged adjacent to two green metalens filter systems 135G, and the blue metalens filter system 135B is arranged adjacent to two green metalens filter systems 135G. The metalens filter systems 135 arranged as shown in Figure 2B can be used to achieve a luminance resolution higher than the chrominance resolution.

[0025]

[0030] Figures 2A and 2B show the metalens filter systems 135 for red, green, and blue, but any color metalens filter system can be arranged within the lens assembly 120. Further, it is contemplated that metalens filter systems 135 for invisible light such as IR and UV can also be used.

[0026]

[0031] Figure 3A shows a top view of a portion 300 of a plurality of metalens features 305 according to one embodiment. The metalens 120 includes a repeating pattern of metalens features 305. The metalens features 305 are nano-sized columns grown on a substrate 310. The metalens features 305 have different shapes depending on the desired spectrum of the light to be filtered. The metalens features 305 can have substantially circular, triangular, square, rectangular, or concave-convex shapes. The metalens features 305 can be made from any suitable high refractive index material such as silicon, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, titanium, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, gallium arsenide, gallium nitride, and niobium oxide, but are not limited thereto. The substrate 310 can be any typical transparent substrate such as glass. The substrate 310 can include any number of layers disposed thereon.

[0027]

[0032] FIG. 3B shows a side view of a portion 300 of a plurality of metasurface features 305 according to one embodiment. The metasurface features 305 have a radius r of from about 20 nm to about 500 nm. The metasurface features 305 have a height h of from about 10 nm to about 2 μm. The metasurface features 305 are spaced from each other by a separation distance d of from about 30 nm to about 500 nm. The radius, height, shape, material, and feature separation distance of the metasurface features 305 are selected to produce a metasurface 120 that filters all but a narrow wavelength band of light. For example, when white light is incident on the red metasurface 120R, the red metasurface 120R focuses only red light.

[0028]

[0033] In one embodiment, the metasurfaces 120R, 120G, 120B have metasurface features 305 having circular or elliptical columns, the columns comprising silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon (Si), titanium dioxide (TiO2), titanium (Ti), or gallium nitride (GaN) materials, the columns having a radius of from about 30 nm to 500 nm, the columns having a height of from about 10 nm to 2 μm, and the columns having a separation of from about 30 nm to 500 nm.

[0029]

[0034] Referring back to FIG. 1A, the metasurface filter system 135 sends a filtered metasurface image of red, green, or blue light filtered by the metasurface filter system to the corresponding sensor 140, depending on the metasurface filter system in question. The sensor 140 is any sensor capable of receiving and interpreting optical information, such as a photosensor. The sensor 140 sends the metasurface image to the controller 190.

[0030]

[0035] A controller 190, such as a programmable computer, is connected to the sensor 140 by a sensor connector 141 and processes the metalens image sent from the lens assembly 125. The sensor connector 141 can be any type of data connection, such as, but not limited to, a wire, an optical fiber, or a wireless connection such as a wireless local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi, ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves, or BLUETOOTH (registered trademark). As shown, the controller 190 includes a processor, i.e., a central processing unit (CPU) 192, a memory 194, and support circuits 196 (e.g., input / output circuits, power supply, clock circuit, cache, etc.). The memory 194 is connected to the CPU 192. The memory 194 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium and can be one or more readily available memories (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, or other forms of digital storage). Additionally, although shown as a single computer, the controller 190 can be, for example, a distributed system including a plurality of independently operating processors and memories. This architecture can be adapted to various embodiments of the imaging system 100 based on the programming of the controller 190 to receive and analyze images sent from the sensor 140, such as metalens images.

[0031]

[0036] Processor 192 combines the meta-lens images to create a composite image. Processor 192 uses any standard algorithm for this task, such as alpha compositing or image stitching. According to one embodiment, Processor 192 uses an image stitching algorithm. In the above example, the meta-lens filter system 135 is red, green, and blue, and the composite image is generated from the red-green-blue (RGB) color model. However, any suitable set of meta-lens filter systems 135 may be used with a suitable color model, such as cyan, magenta, and yellow meta-lenses, for example, and the cyan-magenta-yellow (CMY) color model may be used to create the composite image. The combination of the meta-lens images by Processor 192 enables a composite image with reduced chromatic aberration.

[0032]

[0037] Accordingly, Processor 192 acquires the meta-lens images, combines them into a full-color composite image, and the processor sends the composite image to the screen 180 via the screen connector 181. The screen connector 181 may be any type of data connection, such as a wire, optical fiber, or wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), but is not limited thereto. The screen 180 may be any type of suitable display, such as a monitor or a television. The screen 180 may have any resolution, such as standard definition, high definition (HD), or ultra-high definition (UHD). The screen 180 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, or the like. If the imaging system 100 is part of a camera, the screen 180 may be part of the camera for the user to view the photos taken. If the imaging system 100 is part of a smartphone or other mobile phone, the screen 180 may be part of the phone's screen or the phone's screen.

[0033]

[0038] The met lens image is focused on light of a very specific wavelength (such as red, green, blue, etc.), and wavelengths other than those for which it is designed are filtered by the met lens filter system 135, thus reducing chromatic aberration in the met lens image. When the composite image is generated by a combination of met lens images, chromatic aberration in the composite image is minimized.

[0034]

[0039] Note that each lens assembly 125 can have a different focal length, and thus each composite image will be different, allowing individual composite images to be provided. For example, an image obtained from an object in proximity by a lens assembly 125 having a short focal length will be substantially more in focus than an image obtained by a lens assembly 125' having a very long focal length. In this case, the processor 192 is configured to send each of the composite images to the screen 180, where the user can choose which image to select and save. The processor 192 can include an algorithm regarding how to select the best quality composite image to provide to the screen, such as which of the composite images is in focus. According to one embodiment, the processor 192 determines which of the composite images to provide to the screen 180, and the processor provides the selected composite image to the screen. Also, the processor 192 can be configured to combine two composite images to create a third composite image. For example, if one of the composite images is generated with a near focus and another of the composite images is generated with a far focus, the two composite images can be combined to form a third composite image having a complete depth of field. In this case, the imaging system 100 can be used in a light-field imaging system, taking into account both the intensity of the light in the scene and the direction in which the light rays travel through space.

[0035]

[0040] The described imaging system 100 is useful for applications where the size of the lens must be reduced. For example, the imaging system 100 can be used in wearable devices such as smartwatches or in smartphones. The metasurface filter system 135 saves design space for the large field of view, aperture, and high efficiency optimization of the metasurface camera.

[0036]

[0041] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of method operation 400 for creating a composite image according to one embodiment. The steps of the method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A - 1E and FIG. 4 in combination. Those skilled in the art will understand that any system configured to execute the steps of the method in any order falls within the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0037]

[0042] The method begins at operation 410, where the imaging system 100 including one or more lens assemblies 125 is exposed to light. The one or more lens assemblies 125 are exposed to light reflected from an object, and the light is incident on the underlying metasurface filter system 135. When the light is focused by the metasurface 120 within the metasurface filter system 135, the focused light passes through the color filter 122, resulting in one - color filtered light. For example, the red metasurface filter system 135R generates only filtered red light.

[0038]

[0043] At operation 420, each sensor 140 is exposed to the filtered light to create each of the metasurface images.

[0039]

[0044] At operation 425, each sensor 140 sends the corresponding metasurface image of each metasurface filter system 135 to the processor 192 via the sensor connector 141.

[0040]

[0045] In operation 430, the processor 192 combines a plurality of meta-lens images into a composite image. The composite image can be created by any of the algorithms described above. According to one embodiment, the composite image is generated by an image stitching algorithm. For example, if there are two lens assemblies 125 and each lens assembly includes three meta-lens filter systems 135, two sets of three meta-lens images are combined into two composite images, and a total of six meta-lens images are combined by the processor 192.

[0041]

[0046] In some embodiments, in optional operation 440, the imaging system 100 includes two or more lens assemblies 125, 125', the lens assemblies have different focal lengths, the lens assemblies constitute a variable focal length lens system, and the processor 192 determines which of the composite images to provide to the screen 180. For example, an image obtained from an object in the vicinity by a lens assembly 125 having a short focal length will be substantially more in focus than an image obtained by a lens assembly 125' having a very long focal length. The processor 192 may include an algorithm regarding how to select the best quality composite image to provide to the screen, such as which composite image is in focus.

[0042]

[0047] In operation 450, the processor 192 provides one or more composite images to the screen 180 via the screen connector 181. The processor 192 can provide all of the one or more composite images to the screen 180, where the user can then select which composite images to save. As described above, the processor 192 can automatically determine which of the composite images to send to the screen. The processor 192 can also be configured to combine two composite images to create a third composite image. For example, if one of the composite images is generated at a near focus and another of the composite images is generated at a far focus, the two composite images can be combined into a third composite image having a complete depth of field. In this case, the imaging system 100 can be used in a light field imaging system, and both the intensity of the light in the scene and the direction in which the light rays travel through space can be considered.

[0043]

[0048] As described above, the imaging system 100 includes one or more lens assemblies 125 coupled to the processor 192. When light reflected from an object is incident on the lens assembly 125, the metasurface filter system 135 filters the light incident on the sensor 140. Each metasurface filter system 135 focuses the light to a specific wavelength and generates a metasurface image at the sensor 140. The metasurface images are sent to the processor 192, which combines the metasurface images into one or more composite images. The processor 192 sends the one or more composite images to the screen 180.

[0044]

[0049] The imaging system 100 as described mitigates any chromatic aberration caused by the metasurfaces 120. This is because each of the metasurfaces focuses light of different wavelengths. The metasurface images are combined into a composite image, which has reduced chromatic aberration. The lens assembly 125 can be made smaller than a conventional lens. Further, the lens assembly 125 does not require multiple compound lenses, and thus the bulk of the lens assembly can be minimized.

[0045]

[0050] The above is directed to embodiments of the present invention, but other further embodiments of the present invention can also be devised without departing from the basic scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising one or more lens assemblies, each lens assembly comprising a plurality of metalens filter systems, said plurality of metalens filter systems comprising a plurality of metalenses and a plurality of color filters, each color filter corresponding to one of said plurality of metalenses, and the center pass wavelength of said color filter being the same as the operating wavelength of the corresponding metalens, each lens assembly further comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor being coupled to a metalens filter system, said imaging system further comprising a controller, said controller comprising a processor configured to combine metalens images from each of said plurality of metalenses into a composite image, the imaging system.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of metalens filter systems comprises at least one red metalens filter system, at least one green metalens filter system, and at least one blue metalens filter system.

3. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of metalens filter systems comprises at least two green metalens filter systems.

4. The imaging system according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of metalens filter systems are arranged in a grid, and one of said at least one red metalens filter systems is arranged adjacent to two green metalens filter systems, and one of said at least one blue metalens filter systems is arranged adjacent to two green metalens filter systems.

5. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more lens assemblies comprises at least two lens assemblies, said lens assemblies being arranged in a grid.

6. The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein said one or more lens assemblies are four in number, and said lens assemblies are arranged in a 2×2 grid.

7. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more lens assemblies comprises at least two lens assemblies, and each of said lens assemblies has a different focal length.

8. A method of generating one or more composite images, comprising Exposing an imaging system including one or more lens assemblies to light, each lens assembly comprising a plurality of metalens filter systems, said plurality of metalens filter systems comprising a plurality of metalenses and a plurality of color filters, each color filter being coupled to one of said plurality of metalenses, and a center pass wavelength of said color filter being the same as an operating wavelength of the corresponding metalens, said plurality of metalens filter systems including at least one red metalens having a red color filter, at least one green metalens having a green color filter, and at least one blue metalens having a blue color filter, each lens assembly further comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor being coupled to a metalens filter system, light passing through said plurality of metalens filter systems such that each of said plurality of metalens filter systems generates a metalens image, the method further comprising exposing a plurality of sensors to each of said plurality of metalens images, said sensors being coupled to said metalens filter systems, exposing a plurality of sensors to each of said plurality of metalens images, sending said plurality of metalens images to a processor, and combining said plurality of metalens images using said processor to form said one or more composite images. A method comprising

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said one or more lens assemblies include at least two lens assemblies, each of said lens assemblies having a different focal length.

10. The imaging system includes two or more lens assemblies, and the method further comprises determining, using said processor, which of said composite images to provide to a screen, and providing the selected composite image to the screen. The method according to claim 9.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of metalens filter systems include at least two green metalens filter systems.

12. The plurality of meta-lens filter systems are arranged in a grid, and one of the at least one red meta-lens filter system is arranged adjacent to two green meta-lens filter systems, and one of the at least one blue meta-lens filter system is arranged adjacent to two green meta-lens filter systems. The method according to claim 11.

13. The one or more lens assemblies include at least two lens assemblies, and the lens assemblies are arranged in a grid. The method according to claim 8.

14. The number of the one or more lens assemblies is four, and the lens assemblies are arranged in a 2×2 grid. The method according to claim 13.

15. The one or more composite images are generated using an image stitching algorithm. The method according to claim 8.

Images