Stacked Microlens Arrays for Multi-Focus Plenoptic Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plenoptic imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high spatial and angular resolution while maintaining depth of field, with manufacturing complexities and low yield rates due to the need for microlenses with varying focal distances and aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A microlens array design where multiple microlens arrays with different numerical apertures and focal lengths are stacked in layers, allowing for improved spatial and angular resolution by forming images at different positions on the sensor plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If microlenses with different focal distances are arranged on one substrate to achieve multi-focus plenoptic imaging, then depth of field and depth resolution increase, but manufacturing complexity increases and yield rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microlens array into multiple separate substrates, each containing microlenses with identical focal lengths. These substrates are then stacked in sequence, with each substrate contributing a specific focal length to the overall system. This segmentation allows each substrate to be manufactured independently using standard processes, avoiding the complexity of manufacturing microlenses with different focal lengths on a single substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple microlens arrays with identical focal lengths by stacking them in sequence. Each microlens array in the stack processes light at a specific focal plane, and the combination of these arrays achieves multi-focus plenoptic imaging capability. This merging approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired multi-focus functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microlenses with different focal distances are arranged on one substrate, then multi-focus imaging is achieved, but aberration and refractive surface distortion increase, lowering image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the microlens array into multiple substrates with identical focal lengths, each substrate can be manufactured with high precision using standardized processes. This avoids the aberration and refractive surface distortion that would result from attempting to manufacture microlenses with different focal lengths on a single substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses microlenses with identical focal lengths across each substrate, ensuring homogeneous optical properties within each layer. This homogeneity reduces aberration and refractive surface distortion, maintaining high image resolution while achieving multi-focus capability through the stacking of multiple homogeneous layers.
3Device complexity
If a single microlens array is used in plenoptic imaging, then device simplicity is maintained, but spatial resolution and angular resolution are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional single microlens array to a three-dimensional stacked configuration of multiple microlens arrays. This dimensional change allows the system to capture light field information from multiple focal planes simultaneously, significantly improving both spatial resolution and angular resolution while maintaining relative device simplicity through the use of identical, standardized array components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The stacked microlens array enhances angular and spatial image resolution, simplifies manufacturing, and increases depth of field, reducing manufacturing costs and improving yield rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first microlens having a first focal length... a second microlens having a second focal length... transferring a light... at a plurality of focal lengths
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure can effectively improve an angular image resolution and a spatial image resolution compared to the related art by solving a problem of a plenoptic image based on a microlens array according to the related art. In the case of the microlens array according to the related art, microlenses having different numerical apertures (NAs) and F # (F numbers) or focal lengths are positioned on one substrate. However, in the present disclosure, two or more microlens arrays having different NAs and F # are stacked in a layer form (all the microlenses of each microlens array are formed in the same F # and the same NA) to allow various F # and various NAs to be implemented, and thus an image of an object is formed on a sensor plane at different positions. Accordingly, a spatial resolution and a depth resolution increase.