Spherical coded imagers: Improving lens speed, depth-of-field, and manufacturing yield through enhanced spherical aberration and compensating image processing

Recently, joint analysis and optimization of both the optical sub-system and the algorithmic capabilities of digital processing have created new digital-optical imaging systems with system-level benefits. We explore a special class of digital-optical imaging systems called spherical coding that combine lens systems having controlled amounts of spherical aberration with digital sharpening filters to achieve fast, low-cost, extended depth-of-field (EDoF) imaging systems. We provide analysis of the optimal amount of spherical aberration required as a function of desired depth-of-field extension. We also characterize the MSE-optimal filters required to restore contrast. Finally, we describe a simple method to designing spherical coded systems and demonstrate several advantages such as improved manufacturing yield using an actual lens design.