Artificial eye for scotopic vision with bioinspired all-optical photosensitivity enhancer

Abstract

The ability to acquire images under low-light conditions is critical for many applications. However, to date, strategies toward improving low-light imaging primarily focus on developing electronic image sensors. Inspired by natural scotopic visual systems, we adopt an alloptical method to significantly improve the overall photosensitivity of imaging systems. Such optical approach is independent of, and can effectively circumvent the physical and material limitations of, the electronics imagers used. We demonstrate an artificial eye inspired by superposition compound eyes and the retinal structure of elephantnose fish. The bioinspired photosensitivity enhancer (BPE) that we have developed enhances the image intensity without consuming power, which is achieved by three-dimensional, omnidirectionally aligned microphotocollectors with parabolic reflective sidewalls. Our work opens up a previously unidentified direction toward achieving high photosensitivity in imaging systems.bioinspired optical devices | low-light imaging | microopto-electromechanical systems | femtosecond laser micromachining | low aberrations

Camera‐trapping version 3.0: current constraints and future priorities for development

“…These algorithms for triggering camera traps could be based on low‐powered continuous video (meaning they could work in hot environments, underwater and for ectothermic species), on low‐cost and power‐efficient thermopile array sensors (WWF ), or in future could even take advantage of bio‐inspired photosensitivity enhancers for low‐light conditions (Liu et al. ).…”

“…Rudimentary pixel change algorithms already exist (Swinnen et al 2014), as do deep learning algorithms for identifying animals that are small enough in size to fit on a camera trap (Thomassen 2017). These algorithms for triggering camera traps could be based on low-powered continuous video (meaning they could work in hot environments, underwater and for ectothermic species), on low-cost and power-efficient thermopile array sensors (WWF 2018), or in future could even take advantage of bio-inspired photosensitivity enhancers for low-light conditions (Liu et al 2016).…”

Bioinspired Electronics for Artificial Sensory Systems

“…Moreover, unlike the planar arrays, the curved photodetector array eliminates the requirement for complex and costly optical elements. Instead, bioinspired optical components, such as the elephantnose fish‐inspired microscopic cups that provide special capabilities to human eye functionalities, may be added to these curved image sensors to boost the sensitivity beyond today's cameras …”

Lateral Dye‐Sensitized Microscale Solar Cells via Femtosecond Laser Patterning

“…Fs laser ablation has proven to be a convenient and effective method to create micro‐ or nano‐structures in bulk materials and nano materials, and is especially advantageous to create high aspect ratio structure . In this study, we utilized fs laser to cut through the nanoporous TiO 2 film on the FTO glass substrate and scan within the TiO 2 region to construct an interdigital pattern, where the used‐to‐be PE was divided into two electrodes, both consisting of microscale fingers.…”