Integral imaging system using a dual-mode technique

A new integral imaging system is proposed that uses a dual-mode technique, in which the elemental lens of the lens array is used not only as a convex lens but also as a convex mirror. The integral imaging system using dual modes can represent the real and the virtual integrated images simultaneously with improved viewing parameters. The lens array coated with thin aluminum is used to balance the ratio between the reflectance and the transmittance of lens array. The feasibility of the proposal is proved by the experiments. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America