Fabrication and Characterization of Biologically Inspired Curved-Surface Artificial Compound Eyes

(Curved artificial compound eyes (CACEs) are fabricated using microscale replication, stamping, and casting processes to form deposited 2-D microlens-pattern composite films into 3-D structures. The films are made up of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-Parylene-C-PDMS layers. The layers are used for pattern replication, isolation, and buffering, respectively. The effect of the buffer layer on the ultimate 3-D structure is discussed. Multiple images of the human face in lateral-and axial-motion modes are obtained by these CACE prototypes. These images are used to evaluate the capability of the CACE to acquire multiangle images. The results give evidence that CACEs can potentially produce stereovision in microoptical systems.