Surface Contour Design Models for Foveated Optical Systems

Catadioptic imaging systems, the mixing mirrors and lenses in an optical system, presents many advantages. The mirror surfaces can provide for a complex remapping of the scene while the mirror itself presents virtually no chromatic aberration. Catadioptric systems have been used for both long-focal length lens (to increase light gathering) and for ultra-wide field of view imaging such as the commercially successful immersive imaging system from RemoteReality. A Catadioptric system offers the potential for simultaneously capturing an image with a foveated region (high resolution on target) as well as a wide-field-of-view periphery. Recent academic advances have developed a theory that allows the design of the mirror shape to provide any specified geometric mapping of scene points into the image. The resulting spline-based shape representation can be used to define the catadioptric system. However, an effective imaging system requires more than just the mirror shape, the overall system needs to be designed to minimize distortions, provide sufficient light for imaging and to maintain focus. The physical optics component of the design is critical to the overall system performance. RemoteReality Inc.'s experience in turning basic geometric catadioptric system designs into effective optical systems provide a an important foundation in that process. The proposed project will develop a software system for flexible imaging system design that will integrate tools for mirror design with the necessary tools for physical optics design to provide rapid turn around for Catadioptic systems.