Super-resolution imaging with an achromatic multi-level diffractive microlens array

TL;DR

This paper presents an ultrathin, achromatic multilevel diffractive microlens array inspired by insect eyes, enabling super-resolution visible imaging with a 1.4x resolution boost through computational image merging.

Contribution

The work introduces a novel flat microlens array with high fill factor and achromatic performance, achieving super-resolution imaging in a compact form factor.

Findings

Achieved diffraction-limited, achromatic performance in the visible band.

Demonstrated 1.4 times resolution enhancement via computational merging.

Developed an ultrathin arrayed camera inspired by biological eyes.

Abstract

Compound eyes found in insects provide intriguing sources of biological inspiration for miniaturized imaging systems. Inspired by such insect eye structures, we demonstrate an ultrathin arrayed camera enabled by a flat multilevel diffractive microlens array for super-resolution visible imaging. We experimentally demonstrated that the microlens array can achieve large fill factor (hexagonal close packing with pitch=120um), thickness of 2.6um, and diffraction-limited (strehl ratio = 0.88) achromatic performance in the visible band (450nm to 650nm). We also demonstrate super-resolution imaging with resolution improvement of 1.4 times by computationally merging 1600 images in the array.