Takamasa Ando

Single-shot acquisition of optical direct and global components using single coded pattern projection

We present a single-shot approach for separating optical direct and global components from an object. The former component is caused by direct illumination that travels from a light source to a point on the object and goes back to a camera directly. The latter one is caused by indirect illumination that travels from the light source to a point on the object through other points and goes back to the camera, such as multi-path reflection, diffusion, and scattering, or from another unintended light source, such as ambient illumination. In this method, the direct component is modulated by a single coded pattern from a projector. The modulated direct and un-modulated global components are integrated on an image sensor, which captures a single image. These two components are separated from the single captured image with a numerical algorithm employing a sparsity constraint. Ambient light separation and descattering based on the proposed scheme are experimentally demonstrated.

Diffraction light analysis method for a diffraction grating imaging lens

We have developed a new method to analyze the amount and distribution of diffraction light for a diffraction grating lens. We have found that diffraction light includes each-order diffraction light and striped diffraction light. In this paper, we describe characteristics of striped diffraction light and suggest a way to analyze diffraction light. Our analysis method, which considers the structure of diffraction grating steps, can simulate the aberrations of an optical system, each-order diffraction light, and striped diffraction light simultaneously with high accuracy. A comparison between the simulation and experimental results is presented, and we also show how our analysis method can be used to optimize a diffraction grating lens with low flare light.

Diffraction grating lens array

We have proposed a new type of camera module with a thin structure and distance-detection capability. This camera module has a four-lens-array with diffraction gratings (one for blue, one for red, and two for green). The diffraction gratings on the mold are formed mechanically, and the plastic lens array is fabricated by injection molding. The two green images are compared to detect parallax, and parallax-corrected blue, red and green images are then composed to generate a color image. We have developed new design software and molding technologies for the grating lenses. The depth and period of blazed gratings and the shapes of aspheric lenses are optimized; and blue, red and two green aspheric lenses with gratings are molded as a single four-lens-array. The diffraction gratings on both surfaces of each lens act to improve field curvature and realize wide-angle imaging. However, blazed gratings sometimes cause unnecessary diffraction lights that impede the formation ofhigh-resolution images. We have developed a new method to measure necessary first-order diffraction lights and unnecessary diffraction lights separately. Use of this method allows the relationship between molding conditions and necessary/unnecessary diffraction lights to be shown. Unnecessary diffraction lights can be diminished by employing the optimal molding processes, allowing our grating lenses to be used for image capture.

Phase function design of a diffraction grating lens for an optical imaging system from a Fraunhofer diffraction perspective

The potential exists to apply diffraction gratings to optical imaging systems to improve camera resolution and shorten optical length. However, we have noted the generation of striped flare lights, which differ from unnecessary-order diffraction lights, under intense lighting. We have elucidated the generation principle of these new striped lights and have discovered that they are caused by narrow diffraction grating rings. In this paper, using an analysis based on Fraunhofer diffraction, we suggest a way of minimizing them by designing an appropriate phase function structure, and test the efficacy of this design using our own manufactured prototype.

Explication of diffraction lights on an optical imaging system from a Fraunhofer diffraction perspective

Low-height camera modules are demanded for such applications as cellular phones and vehicles. For designing optical lens, it has widely been recognized that a trade-off exists between reducing the number of lenses and camera resolution. The optical performance of imaging lenses has been improved by diffraction gratings, which have a peculiar inverse dispersion in the wavelength and exhibit the efficacy of correction for chromatic aberration. We can simultaneously reduce the number of lenses and maintain optical resolution using diffraction gratings. However, we have found a generation of striped flare lights under intense light sources that differ from unnecessary order diffraction lights. In this paper, we reveal the generation mechanism of these new striped diffraction lights and suggest a novel structure of diffraction gratings that can decrease them.