Re: [Phys-l] Camera to capture "light field"

[brian whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

On 3/1/2012 11:36 AM, Bob Sciamanda wrote:
> By placing an array of microlenses in front of a camera sensor==>
>
> https://www.lytro.com/science_inside
>
> Scroll down to the bottom for a link to the  Stanford Phd thesis behind
> this.
>
> Bob Sciamanda
> Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
> treborsci@verizon.net
> http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/
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> Forum for Physics Educators
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The thesis seems to me to be remarkable lucid.    Though I have had just 
a few minutes to scan the effort, I sense that a microlens array near 
the sensor plane that can capture light ray directionality (which of 
course requires at least three sensors per pixel in each color) 
amounting to 5 dimensions of input  in each color, provides the 
wherewithal to compute an image for any desired optical plane. The cost 
is the reduced  definition available at the selected focus - but with 
sensor arrays passing well beyond 15 Mpixels, this seems not to have 
been a stumbling block.

I would like to hope that this US development sees it's reward in US 
made products - in view of the sad demise of the major Kodak business. 
But I am aware that Asian engineers, often trained in fast-moving US 
businesses, are now exceptionally fleet of foot.

Brian Whatcott