Optical transfer function synthesis in multiple lenselet array imagers

Multiple lenslet array imagers (MLAIs) are compact optical systems made of several cascaded lenslet arrays. These systems can provide images that are many times larger than their total object to image distance. Here we describe a new variant of the MLAI that provides control over the optical transfer function (OTF) of the imaging process. This OTF synthesis capability makes it possible to control the resolution of MLAIs, as well as to use them as correlators or convolvers in optical information processing systems. Several variants of this new device, results from an experimental demonstration, and an analysis of its key performance issues, are presented.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.