Design and demonstration of a far-field imaging system with a one-dimensional form factor

We present a far-field imaging system with a one-dimensional form factor based on coupling light into the side of an optical fiber. The point spread function of this threadlike camera is determined analytically and confirmed experimentally. Because the system is one-dimensional, high resolution is available in one spatial dimension. An imaging device is demonstrated with an angular resolution of 100 micro-radians. Diffraction-limited imaging is achieved for aperture lengths as large as 1 cm. An image is formed from a light field produced by a Dammann grating illuminated by a laser.