Metalens Array Light Field Imager

To address the Army’s need for direct print-down of microlens arrays on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imagers, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (ISI) proposes to develop a new Metalens Array Light Field (MERGE) Imager, based on dielectric metamaterials and form birefringence. Specifically, the innovative design of the metamaterials enables polarization-insensitive, achromatic light field imaging capability with a wide field of view (FOV) and high resolution. This design allows ultrathin microlens arrays, ultra-compact and light CMOS imagers, and small f-number, which can be cost-effectively manufactured using advanced nanoimprint lithography. As a result, the MERGE Imager yields a very thin, light camera package in a light-field optical configuration. In Phase I, ISI will prove the feasibility by designing, simulating, fabricating, and testing a prototype. In Phase II, ISI will further develop a fully operational MERGE Imager by refining and optimizing the design, developing the complete manufacturing process for mass production, and conducting thorough evaluation of optical performance in comparison to conventional electro-optics. By the end of Phase II, ISI will have fabricated a mature working MERGE Imager prototype, demonstrated its abilities to readout sub-images and enable viable light field reconstruction, and showed that the subsampled synthetic aperture is functional.