Cornell University

Albert Wang

Alyosha C Molnar

Patrick R Gill

An angle-sensitive pixel (ASP) device that uses the Talbot effect to detect the local intensity and incident angle of light includes a phase grating disposed above a photodiode assembly or a phase grating disposed above an analyzer grating that is disposed above a photodiode assembly. When illuminated by a plane wave, the upper grating generates a self-image at a selected Talbot depth. Several such structures, tuned to different incident angles, are sufficient to extract local incident angle and intensity. Arrays of such structures are sufficient to localize light sources in three dimensions without any additional optics.

Light field image sensor, method and applications

Light field image sensor with an angle-sensitive pixel (ASP) device

An image processing system includes at least two, complementary, angle sensitive pixel (ASP) structures, having a spatial frequency domain ASP output including a background output and a plurality of ASP response outputs, in response to an optical input; an ASP response output subtractor component, which functions to suppress the background output and perform a subtraction of at least two of the ASP response outputs; and a processing component that can process the subtracted spatial frequency domain ASP response outputs. An optical domain image processing method includes the steps of providing at least two, complementary, angle sensitive pixel (ASP) structures; obtaining a spatial frequency domain ASP output including a plurality of complementary ASP response outputs, in response to an optical input; performing a wavelet-like transform of the ASP response outputs in the optical domain prior to performing any operation in a digital domain; and obtaining a desired output of the optical input.

Angle sensitive pixel (ASP)-based image processing system, method, and applications

An angle-sensitive pixel (ASP) device that uses the Talbot effect to detect the local intensity and incident angle of light includes two local diffraction gratings stacked above a photodiode. When illuminated by a plane wave, the upper grating generates a self-image at a selected Talbot depth. The second grating, placed at this depth, blocks or passes light depending upon incident angle. Several such structures, tuned to different incident angles, are sufficient to extract local incident angle and intensity. Arrays of such structures are sufficient to localize light sources in three dimensions without any additional optics.

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Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Albert Wang