Miniature bioinspired artificial compound eyes: microfabrication technologies, photodetection and applications

Abstract

As an outstanding visual system for insects and crustaceans to cope with the challenges of survival, compound eye has many unique advantages, such as wide field of view, rapid response, infinite depth of field, low aberration and fast motion capture. However, the complex composition of their optical systems also presents significant challenges for manufacturing. With the continuous development of advanced materials, complex 3D manufacturing technologies and flexible electronic detectors, various ingenious and sophisticated compound eye imaging systems have been developed. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the microfabrication technologies, photoelectric detection and functional applications of miniature artificial compound eyes. Firstly, a brief introduction to the types and structural composition of compound eyes in the natural world is provided. Secondly, the 3D forming manufacturing techniques for miniature compound eyes are discussed. Subsequently, some photodetection technologies for miniature curved compound eye imaging are introduced. Lastly, with reference to the existing prototypes of functional applications for miniature compound eyes, the future development of compound eyes is prospected.

Research on key technology of cooled infrared bionic compound eye camera based on small lens array

“…Although micro-lens compound-eye cameras have attracted attention due to their compact size and wide field of view, they still have some drawbacks, including low image quality, limited focal length, limited detection distance, and high detection accuracy requirements 22 . Many similar micro-lens array cameras highlight their ability to observe large fields of view at close range and are selectively used for specific applications.…”