A micro camera utilizing a microlens array for multiple viewpoint imaging

We present the concept and realization of a micro plenoptic camera to achieve multiple viewpoint imaging with one single image capture and without moving the camera. The micro plenoptic camera is based on lightfield photography where the camera captures the 4-dimensional lightfield and images it onto a 2-dimensional CCD sensor through the use of a microlens array. The microlens array was fabricated using the photoresist reflow process. We realized both a simulated micro camera with a 2mm aperture, a 69×69 microlens array of 50μm pitch size and a 5 megapixel CCD, as well as an experimental camera with a 15.2mm aperture, a 97×97 microlens array of 240μm pitch size and a 1 megapixel CCD.