Simulation of light-field camera imaging based on ray splitting Monte Carlo method

•The simulation method of micro lens array based on Monte Carlo method.•Pointing out the advantages of heavy calibre reflecting lens in light imaging.•Using ray split technology to improve simulation efficiency significantly.

As microlens technology matures, studies of structural design and reconstruction algorithm optimization for light-field cameras are increasing. However, few of these studies address numerical physical simulation of the camera, and it is difficult to track lighting technology for forward simulations because of its low efficiency. In this paper, we develop a Monte Carlo method (MCM) based on ray splitting and build a physical model of a light-field camera with a microlens array to simulate its imaging and refocusing processes. The model enables simulation of different imaging modalities, and will be useful for camera structural design and error analysis system construction.