SINGLE-LENS EXTENDED DEPTH-OF-FIELD IMAGING SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. An imaging system for imaging an object within an extended depth-of-field (EDOF) at an imaging wavelength λ
- and with an average modulation transfer function (MTF), comprising;
an optical system having an optical axis and consisting of a single lens element and an aperture stop arranged objectwise of the single lens element, the optical system having amount of spherical aberration SA wherein 0.2λ
≦
SA≦
5λ
when forming an image of the object, wherein the single lens element is made of a material that generates an amount of axial chromatic aberration that increases the EDOF up to 20% while decreasing the average MTF of the optical system by no more than 25%, relative to the optical system having no chromatic aberration; and
an image sensor arranged to receive the image and form therefrom a digitized electronic raw image.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging system that has a corresponding extended depth of focus (EDOF′). The imaging system has an optical system consisting of a single lens element and an objectwise aperture stop arrange substantially at a zero-coma axial position. The single lens element is configured so that the optical system has a select amount of spherical aberration (SA) in the range 0.2λ≦SA≦2λ, where λ is an imaging wavelength. The single lens element generates an amount of axial chromatic aberration that increases the EDOF while decreasing the average MTF of the optical system relative to the optical system having no chromatic aberration. The imaging system has an image sensor for forming a digitized raw image of an object.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An imaging system for imaging an object within an extended depth-of-field (EDOF) at an imaging wavelength λ
- and with an average modulation transfer function (MTF), comprising;
an optical system having an optical axis and consisting of a single lens element and an aperture stop arranged objectwise of the single lens element, the optical system having amount of spherical aberration SA wherein 0.2λ
≦
SA≦
5λ
when forming an image of the object, wherein the single lens element is made of a material that generates an amount of axial chromatic aberration that increases the EDOF up to 20% while decreasing the average MTF of the optical system by no more than 25%, relative to the optical system having no chromatic aberration; andan image sensor arranged to receive the image and form therefrom a digitized electronic raw image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- and with an average modulation transfer function (MTF), comprising;
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11. A method of forming an image of an object over an extended depth of field (EDOF) at an imaging wavelength λ
- , comprising;
forming a raw image of an object with an optical system consisting of a single lens element and an aperture stop arranged objectwise of the single lens element, wherein the optical system has an amount of spherical aberration SA such that 0.2λ
≦
SA≦
5λ
;wherein the single lens element is made of a material, and including selecting the material to generate an amount of chromatic aberration that increases the EDOF by no more than 20% while decreasing the average MTF by no more than 25%, relative to the optical system having no chromatic aberration; using an image sensor, electronically capturing the raw image to form a digitized raw image. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- , comprising;
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21-34. -34. (canceled)
Specification