Artificial compound eye zoom camera

Abstract

We demonstrate a highly compact image capturing system with variable field of view but without any mechanically moving parts. The camera combines an ultra-thin artificial apposition compound eye with one variable focal length liquid lens. The change of optical power of the liquid lens when applying a voltage results in a change of the magnification of the microlens array imaging system. However, its effect on focusing of the individual microlenses can be neglected due to their small focal length.