Wavefront-coded, hybrid imaging for the alleviation of optical aberrations

Abstract

Hybrid optical–digital imaging involves a combination of optical coding during image formation and digital decoding and image reconstruction. This process offers enhanced functionality beyond what is possible using conventional purely optical imaging, for example, in the fields of miniaturization, cost reduction, extended depth of field and three-dimentional imaging. This article focuses on one of the most important hybrid imaging techniques namely, wavefront coding, which was proposed principally as a means to extend the depth of field of an imaging system. A review of the theory behind wavefront coding, the manufacturing of wavefront-coding elements and various applications for which it has been proposed is provided.