Fully Integrated Ultrathin Camera for Low-Aberration Wide Field-of-View Imaging

Wide field-of-view (FOV) imaging systems inspired by biological vision provide compact and multifunctional alternatives to conventional optics. However, artificial compound eye cameras often suffer from low spatial resolution and optical aberrations at large incidence angles. Here we report ultrathin eXtended-FOV microlens array camera (XF-MAC), inspired by the visual structure of Strepsiptera for low-aberration wide FOV imaging. Each optical unit integrates laterally displaced apertures and an ellipsoidal microlens to capture angle-specific images with reduced optical aberrations. The ellipsoidal microlens arrays were fabricated using wafer-level processes and integrated onto a planar CMOS sensor, resulting in an ultrathin form factor. Experimental results demonstrate high and balanced MTF50 performance across a 120° FOV. Feature-based calibration and image stitching produced seamless, high-fidelity reconstructions. In addition, the close-range imaging capability of the camera further highlights the potential for integration into ultracompact, wide FOV imaging platforms.