Difference between revisions of "Lens array"

From XVRWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(61 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:Microlens Array.jpg|thumb|right|120px|A part of a microlens array in a hexagonal pattern]]
+
[[File:Microlens Array.jpg|thumb|200px|A lens array in a hexagon pattern]]
A '''microlens array''' is an optical device that has lots of tiny lenses. It can be used to make a [[light field display]].
+
A '''lens array''' is a  component of a display that can help to generate a [[light field]]. It consists of [[lens]]es arranged in a pattern or grid. It is a component of [[light field camera]]s and some types of [[light field display]]s.
  
It is a flat piece of glass with tiny [[lenslet]]s manufactured into the surface.
+
Lens arrays translate between angle of light and position of light.
  
They can be made out of [[fused silica]].<ref name="x003">{{cite web | title=Fused Silica Microlens Arrays | website=Thorlabs, Inc. | date=2014-08-11 | url=https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=2861 | access-date=2024-05-11}}</ref>
+
A lens array is a [[microlens array]] if its lenses are less than 1 millimeter wide.
  
A microlens array is used in [[Lytro]]'s cameras.<ref name="w180">{{cite web | title=Lytro Specifications: A Deeper Look Inside | website=LightField Forum | date=2012-11-08 | url=http://lightfield-forum.com/2012/11/lytro-specifications-a-deeper-look-inside/ | access-date=2024-07-09}}</ref>
+
Lens arrays can be found in infra-red motion detectors.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/embed/HroJyGDoXI8?t=23</ref>
  
Each lens in the array has its own optical axis. However, when the array is viewed as a cohesive unit, the lenses form a shared main optical axis.<ref name="u455">{{cite web | title=Microstructure Lens Arrays | website=Laser Focus World | date=2024-06-21 | url=https://www.laserfocusworld.com/directory/finished-optics-coatings-components/lens-arrays/product/14303094/avantier-inc-microstructure-lens-arrays | access-date=2024-07-10}}</ref>
+
A lens array used in integral imaging must have a viewcone size significantly smaller than a human retina in order to solve the [[vergence-accommodation conflict]]. If the viewcone size is more than the width of the retina, the display will only show parallax, and no correct focal cues.
  
Thorlabs advertises the sale of microlens arrays as of 2024.<ref name="x003">{{cite web | title=Fused Silica Microlens Arrays | website=Thorlabs, Inc. | date=2014-08-11 | url=https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=2861 | access-date=2024-07-09}}</ref> Thorlabs has claimed that their lenslet arrays are formed using photolithographic techniques.<ref name="x003"/>
+
It may be sold as a "hexagonal lens array".<ref name="s392">{{cite web | title=Hexagonal Lens Array (large) | website=Luximprint | date=2023-10-05 | url=https://www.luximprint.com/product/hexagonal-lens-array-large/ | access-date=2024-09-15}}</ref>
 +
__NOTOC__
 +
==Optics==
 +
Each lens in the array has its own optical axis. However, when the array is viewed as a cohesive unit, the lenses form a shared main optical axis.<ref name="u455">{{cite web | title=Microstructure Lens Arrays | website=Laser Focus World | url=https://www.laserfocusworld.com/directory/finished-optics-coatings-components/lens-arrays/product/14303094/avantier-inc-microstructure-lens-arrays}}</ref>
  
The side with the roundings should generally face towards the source of the light. In a display, this means that the user's eye faces the flat side of the array, and the underlying display faces the side with the roundings.
+
The side with the roundings should generally face towards the source of the light. In a display, this means that the user's eye faces the flat side of the array.
  
Microlens arrays can be found in infra-red motion detectors.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/embed/HroJyGDoXI8?t=23</ref>
+
==Manufacturing==
 +
Lens arrays can be injection molded.
 +
 
 +
A lens array can be made from a silicone mold made with 1 mm stainless steel balls. The lens material can be epoxy resin.<ref name="i170">{{cite web | title=Getting A Fly’s-Eye View With Microfabricated Lens Arrays (Comments section)| website=Hackaday | date=2021-09-07 | url=https://hackaday.com/2021/09/07/getting-a-flys-eye-view-with-microfabricated-lens-arrays/ | access-date=2024-09-13}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Materials===
 +
* Glass
 +
* PMMA
 +
* [[Fused silica]]<ref name="x001">{{cite web | title=Fused Silica Microlens Arrays | website=Thorlabs, Inc. | url=https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=2861}}</ref>
  
==Manufacturing==
+
==Uses==
Microlens arrays can be produced using microfabrication techniques, in particular photolithographic techniques.<ref>https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ae/55/08/039fdcbd181cb7/US20130033636A1.pdf</ref>
+
Lens array can be found in [[light field camera]]s.<ref name="w180">{{cite web | title=Lytro Specifications: A Deeper Look Inside | website=LightField Forum | url=http://lightfield-forum.com/2012/11/lytro-specifications-a-deeper-look-inside/ | access-date=2024-07-09}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
To make a plenoptic lens based display, each lens should be at the minimum 200 pixels wide and 200 pixels long.
 +
 
 +
==Novel==
 +
It is possible to make a microlens array using [[fresnel lens]]es.<ref>https://holographix.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MLA-Circles-Microlens-Arrays-2-e1548578651299.jpg</ref>
 +
 
 +
It is theoretically possible to make a liquid lens array, for example using water droplets.
  
Microlens arrays have been manufactured at the wafer level by [[Lytro]].<ref name="f772">{{cite web | title=Karafin Lytro | website=YouTube | date=2024-03-06 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nYXVT0QUkc | access-date=2024-07-14}}</ref>
+
It is theoretically possible to make a lens array that has a general curve to it, like on a semisphere.
  
==Dimensions==
+
A lens array can potentially be made out of a [[holographic optical element]].
Microlens arrays have been produced with a distance between microlenses of about 125 microns, which is 1/8 of a millimeter.<ref name="u639">{{cite web | title=Plenoptic Cameras: The Future of Imaging | website=YouTube | date=2024-03-06 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyRgcD4VxE8 | access-date=2024-07-09}}</ref><ref name="x003"/>
 
  
To make a plenoptic microlens based display, each microlens should be at the minimum 200 pixels wide and 200 pixels long.
+
It is possible to make a [[metalens array]].
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 31: Line 48:
 
[[Category:Optical components]]
 
[[Category:Optical components]]
 
[[Category:Light field]]
 
[[Category:Light field]]
 +
[[Category:Light field display]]

Latest revision as of 05:45, 17 February 2025

A lens array in a hexagon pattern

A lens array is a component of a display that can help to generate a light field. It consists of lenses arranged in a pattern or grid. It is a component of light field cameras and some types of light field displays.

Lens arrays translate between angle of light and position of light.

A lens array is a microlens array if its lenses are less than 1 millimeter wide.

Lens arrays can be found in infra-red motion detectors.[1]

A lens array used in integral imaging must have a viewcone size significantly smaller than a human retina in order to solve the vergence-accommodation conflict. If the viewcone size is more than the width of the retina, the display will only show parallax, and no correct focal cues.

It may be sold as a "hexagonal lens array".[2]

Optics[edit]

Each lens in the array has its own optical axis. However, when the array is viewed as a cohesive unit, the lenses form a shared main optical axis.[3]

The side with the roundings should generally face towards the source of the light. In a display, this means that the user's eye faces the flat side of the array.

Manufacturing[edit]

Lens arrays can be injection molded.

A lens array can be made from a silicone mold made with 1 mm stainless steel balls. The lens material can be epoxy resin.[4]

Materials[edit]

Uses[edit]

Lens array can be found in light field cameras.[6]

To make a plenoptic lens based display, each lens should be at the minimum 200 pixels wide and 200 pixels long.

Novel[edit]

It is possible to make a microlens array using fresnel lenses.[7]

It is theoretically possible to make a liquid lens array, for example using water droplets.

It is theoretically possible to make a lens array that has a general curve to it, like on a semisphere.

A lens array can potentially be made out of a holographic optical element.

It is possible to make a metalens array.

References[edit]