Insect inspired imaging for ultra-compact vision systems

Technical concept

• Microlens array on front side of thin glass substrate with a thickness according to focal length of the microlenses
  
• Integrated on an optoelectronic image sensor (CCD, CMOS) with different pixel pitch compared to the microlens array
• Pitch-difference enables different viewing directions of each optical channel
• Channel-wise adapted microlenses for correction of aberrations
• Optical isolation of channels for the suppression of optical cross-talk

 

Exemplary parameters

• Optical system length 300 μm
  
• 150 x 100 channels / pixels
• Channel size 50 μm
• F/# = 2 to 4
• Field-of-view 80° x 65°
• Pixel size 3μm

 

Wafer-scale technology

• Origination of lens arrays by reflow of photoresist or laser lithography
• Structuring of aperture arrays on thin glass substrate (lithography)
• UV-molding of lens arrays in inorganicorganic hybrid polymer
• Dicing, assembly with CMOS-imager

 

Our work

• Optical design, prototyping and characterization of microoptical imaging systems for custom-specific applications
• Provide imaging solutions for tightest working spaces

 

Typical applications

• Machine vision, Sensors
• Security and surveillance
• Medical imaging