Compact single-shot ranging and near-far imaging using metasurfaces

2026-04-11

AI Summary

This work proposes a compact, single-shot imaging system based on metasurface optics that simultaneously achieves high-resolution imaging and precise passive depth estimation for both near-field (1.4 cm and 2.0 cm) and far-field (~40 cm) targets—an unprecedented capability in such a miniature platform. By engineering the metasurface to capture multi-focus images on a single sensor, the system leverages focal stacks combined with an efficient defocus-based depth estimation algorithm to attain a ranging accuracy of ±1 mm within a 12–20 mm depth range. With an overall system length of merely 15 mm, the design demonstrates exceptional miniaturization, multifunctionality, and strong potential for edge deployment in resource-constrained environments.

Technology Category

• Search and Optimization: Metareasoning and Metaheuristics
• Computer Vision: Multi-modal Vision
• Machine Learning: Multi-instance/Multi-view Learning

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Applied ML and AI for Web-based mobile applications
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: On-Device user modeling, personalization, and recommendation
• Responsible Web: Human-perceived consequences of algorithmic deployment on the web

Abstract

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.

Problem

• single-shot imaging
• passive ranging
• metasurfaces
• near-far imaging
• depth-from-defocus

Innovation

• metasurfaces
• single-shot imaging
• depth-from-defocus
• compact optical system
• passive ranging