Compact single-shot ranging and near-far imaging using metasurfaces
This work provides a compact, single-shot ranging solution for resource-constrained applications like defense, but the ranging accuracy is demonstrated only for a simplified scenario and limited depth range.
A metasurface imaging system captures two close-range images (1.4 cm and 2.0 cm) and one long-range image (~40 cm) on a single sensor, enabling passive ranging with ±1 mm accuracy from 12 mm to 20 mm via depth-from-defocus. The system has a 15 mm track length, suitable for compact integration.
We present a metasurface imaging system capable of simultaneously capturing two images at close range (1-2~cm) and an additional image at long range (about 40~cm) on a shared photosensor. The close-range image pair focuses at 1.4~cm and 2.0~cm, respectively, which forms a focal stack, enabling passive ranging with an accuracy of $\pm$1~mm from 12~mm to 20~mm through a computationally efficient depth-from-defocus algorithm for a simplified scenario. The entire system is compact, with a total track length of 15~mm, making it suitable for seamless integration into edge platforms for defense and other resource-constrained applications.