Performance analysis of a high-resolution wide-angle foveated optical system

Optical foveated imaging using liquid crystal spatial light modulators has received considerable attention in the recent years as a potential approach to reducing size and complexity in wide-angle lenses for high-resolution foveated imaging. In this paper we propose a very compact design for an F/2.8 visible monochromatic foveated optical system covering a total field-of-view of 80 degrees and capable of achieving a resolution in excess of 100 MPixels. The diffraction efficiency and image quality of the foveated optical system are estimated. The foveated optical system is compared to equivalent conventional wide-angle lenses in terms of size, complexity and image quality. Fabrication and assembly tolerances as well as limitations of the current transmissive LC SLM technology are taken into consideration.