Design and fabrication of a compound-eye system using precision molded chalcogenide glass freeform microlens arrays

In this research, an infrared compound eye system with 80° field of view was developed. This system features a design where a micro aperture array is sandwiched between two freeform microlens arrays. Each microlens array consists of three circles of microlenses. The microlens arrays were designed using Code V software and fabricated using a combination of ultraprecision diamond milling for mold fabrication and infrared glass molding process for microlens arrays. Double-sided anti-reflection coating was applied to both microlens arrays to reduce Fresnel reflection caused by high refractive index of the infrared glass. The micro aperture array imbedded in the camera model was 3D-printed polymer structure with a precision features for assembling the microlens arrays. In addition, the micro aperture array was also used to prevent crosstalks among neighboring channels. Test results showed this compound eye system can form high quality images within the designed field of view.