Abstract

We describe a method for combining concentric logarithmic aspheric lenses in order to obtain an extended depth of field. Substantial improvement in extending the depth of field is obtained by carefully controlling the optical path difference among the concentric lenses so that their outputs combine incoherently. The system is analyzed through diffraction theory and the point spread function is shown to be highly invariant over a long range of object distances. After testing the image performance on a three-dimensional scene, we found that the incoherently combined logarithmic aspheres can provide a high-quality image over an axial distance corresponding to a defocus of $\pm 14(\lambda /4)$. Studies of the images of two-point objects are presented to illustrate the resolution of these lenses.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

Phase plate to extend the depth of field of incoherent hybrid imaging systems

Sherif S. Sherif, W. Thomas Cathey, and Ed R. Dowski
Appl. Opt. 43(13) 2709-2721 (2004)

PSF engineering with variable logarithmic phase plates for the extended depth of field

Sara Moein, Shohreh Shadalou, and Thomas J. Suleski
Opt. Continuum 1(7) 1579-1592 (2022)

Extending the depth of field through unbalanced optical path difference

Kaiqin Chu, Nicholas George, and Wanli Chi
Appl. Opt. 47(36) 6895-6903 (2008)

Computational imaging with the logarithmic asphere: theory

Wanli Chi and Nicholas George
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 20(12) 2260-2273 (2003)

Extending depth of field for hybrid imaging systems via the use of both dark and dot point spread functions

L. V. Nhu, Zhigang Fan, Shouqian Chen, and Fanyang Dang
Appl. Opt. 55(26) 7345-7350 (2016)