Capturing of 3D content using a single aperture camera

Abstract

Integral imaging has recently re-emerged as an alternative to current 3D capturing systems, providing post-production refocusing capabilities and reducing the complexity of 3D capturing systems. One of the main drawbacks of conventional plenoptic 1 integral imaging systems is the implementation of a single custom made microlens array which has a fixed focal length and a high cost/low scalability associated with. This thesis demonstrates a variable focal length microlens arrays system, which can flexibly operate within a range of various focal lengths, increase the cost-effectiveness of the integral imaging system and offers the opportunity to manipulate the main camera optical parameters without modifying the objective lens settings. To validate the proposed concept, a custom-made integral imaging camera system was designed and built (IMPERX 4K system). Based on the results obtained from two initial optical simulations, software simulation and mathematical model; the suitable microlens arrays were acquired, and several experiments were performed to establish the feasibility of a variable focal length microlens arrays system. The results obtained show the proposed system performed as expected. The variable focal length system represents an ideal method to control microlens focal length, as it offers a higher microlens count, without a dedicated electronic system, whose performance is not susceptible to temperature-pressure changes and can operate in real-time as it does not require downtimes to re-adjust. Additionally, an existing technique of increasing the spatial resolution in Plenoptic 1 systems was conducted using a different implementation method. An alternative technique to fabricate microlens arrays using commercial 3D printers was attempted. Throughout the research, the quality of the images was improved using relevant optical elements and optimal optical integrations.