Proposed fast performance evaluation of an imaging system with a discrete detector array

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Image Quality Assessment

Background:

• Optical transfer function (OTF) is insufficient for discrete imaging systems due to aliasing.
• Aliasing distorts high spatial frequencies into lower ones, impacting image fidelity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fast, synchronized on-axis and off-axis measurement system for modulation transfer function (MTF).
• To investigate and implement a microscanning method for aliasing effect elimination in optical systems.

Main Methods:

• A novel MTF measurement system utilizing a slit function as a light source was developed.
• A six-step microscanning technique, controlled by a custom macro, was employed to mitigate aliasing.
• On-axis and off-axis measurements were synchronized for efficiency.

Main Results:

• The developed MTF system achieved repeatable measurements in just 2 seconds.
• The microscanning method successfully reduced aliasing effects to near zero.
• Experimental results showed no significant difference in MTF measurement between telecentric and non-telecentric optics after microscanning.

Conclusions:

• The proposed MTF measurement system offers a rapid and accurate method for evaluating optical system performance.
• Microscanning is an effective technique for overcoming aliasing limitations in discrete imaging systems.
• The findings confirm the robustness of the microscanning approach for diverse optical configurations.