Description:
Market Opportunity
Light-Field imaging captures information about the incident angle of light rays in space, making it possible to adjust focus after an image has been captured. Adding lenses or apertures to CMOS sensors are two common ways to detect incident angle. However, the size of the sensor is relatively large, due to lenses or apertures used and the low effective resolution. Furthermore, apertures block part of the light, lowering the signal-to-noise ratio and image quality.
USC Solution
Researchers at USC have developed metasurfaces on a CMOS sensor to detect the incident angle of light at 850 nm. The transmission of the metasurface is highly sensitive to the incident angle allowing for the angle to be calculated. This technology enables a light filed imaging sensor with compact form factor and high transmission. This sensor can be fabricated using photolithography and can easily be integrated into standard IC processes.
Value Proposition
- Compact form factor
- High light transmission
- High signal-to-noise ratio
- Easy fabrication through integration in standard processes
Applications
- Light-field camera
- Virtual Reality
- Augmented Reality
Stage of Development
- Tested and optimized through simulation
- Available for exclusive and non-exclusive license