Quasi light fields: extending the light field to coherent radiation

TL;DR

This paper introduces quasi light fields, a new model bridging incoherent and coherent imaging, enabling advanced image synthesis and analysis by extending traditional light field concepts with electromagnetic theory.

Contribution

It presents a novel quasi light field model that combines light field utility with Maxwell's equations for coherent radiation, expanding imaging capabilities.

Findings

Generalizes beamforming algorithms for coherent imaging

Enables synthesis of images from coherent radiation

Bridges light field and electromagnetic theory

Abstract

Imaging technologies such as dynamic viewpoint generation are engineered for incoherent radiation using the traditional light field, and for coherent radiation using electromagnetic field theory. We present a model of coherent image formation that strikes a balance between the utility of the light field and the comprehensive predictive power of Maxwell's equations. We synthesize research in optics and signal processing to formulate, capture, and form images from quasi light fields, which extend the light field from incoherent to coherent radiation. Our coherent cameras generalize the classic beamforming algorithm in sensor array processing, and invite further research on alternative notions of image formation.