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11

Biologically Inspired Optical Systems

Robert Szema and Luke P. Lee

CONTENTS
11.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 291
11.2 Camera Eyes....................................................................................................................................... 292
11.2.1 A Fluidic Adaptive Lens..................................................................................................... 292
11.2.2 An Artificial Cephalopod Eye............................................................................................. 293
11.2.3 A Foveated Imaging System............................................................................................... 294
11.3 Compound Eyes.................................................................................................................................. 296
11.3.1 Appositional Compound Eyes............................................................................................. 297
11.3.2 Superpositional Compound Eyes ........................................................................................ 298
11.3.3 Hybrid Appositional or Superpositional Compound Eyes ................................................. 303
11.4 Other Biomimetic Approaches........................................................................................................... 304
11.4.1 Brittlestar Eyes .................................................................................................................... 304
11.4.2 Melanophila Acuminate Beetle........................................................................................... 305
11.5 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................... 305
References....................................................................................................................................................... 307
Website ........................................................................................................................................................... 308

11.1 INTRODUCTION

Of the five senses, the mechanism of sight is perhaps the most diverse in the animal kingdom. There
exist at least eight generalized types of optical systems with numerous variations within each
classification. This is to be expected, as each animal-eye is tailored to the specific needs of its
owner. From the defense-oriented pinhole clam eye to the night-adapted owl eye, nature has
provided a plethora of examples to study and emulate.
The ability to reproduce biological optical systems using man-made materials has applications
in navigation systems, specialized detectors, and in surveillance cameras. Of late, there has been
particular interest within the military which has provided much of the funding towards research in
this field. Advancements in materials science and manufacturing technologies have shown to be
invaluable in the construction of biomimetic optics.
Biomimetic optics is a relatively new and expanding field, although it can be argued that older
technologies such as photographic cameras already mimic biology by having analogous structures
(i.e., glass lens to biological lens, film to retina, etc.). However, this chapter is devoted to those
optical devices, which, by their design, seek to imitate living organisms. The examples that follow

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