Space-bandwidth scaling for wide field-of-view imaging

Abstract

We examine the space-bandwidth product of wide field-of-view imaging systems as the systems scale in size. Our analysis is based on one conducted to examine the behavior of a plano-convex lens imaging onto a flat focal geometry. We extend this to consider systems with monocentric lenses and curved focal geometries. As a means to understand system cost, and not just performance, we also assess the volume and mass associated with these systems. Our analysis indicates monocentric lenses imaging onto a curved detector outperform other systems for the same design constraints but do so at a cost in lens weight.