Lensless imaging

Lensless imaging offers a revolutionary solution to the limitations of traditional lens-based cameras, such as high cost and physical size constraints. By replacing lenses with thin phase masks, this technology enables ultra-compact, low-cost camera modules ideal for modern imaging demands. Unlike conventional lenses, lensless systems use a phase mask to modulate light, creating a point spread function (PSF) that encodes the scene's information. Computational algorithms then reconstruct the image from this encoded data. Recent advancements, including high-throughput fabrication techniques like gray-scale lithography, have made it possible to design custom PSFs tailored for specific imaging tasks. This approach not only reduces production costs but also enhances the scalability of lensless cameras for applications such as optical fingerprinting and high-speed imaging. By combining precise PSF design and efficient mask fabrication, lensless imaging systems achieve exceptional flexibility and performance, making them a promising technology for future imaging applications across diverse fields.