title: Locally magnifying imager.
abstract: We present a new optical system capable of changing in real-time, anywhere in the field of view, the magnification of the image, while potentially keeping the total field of view constant. This is achieved by using an active optic element to change the direction of some selected rays, thus creating controlled distortion. A mathematical description of such a system is presented, along with the fundamental limits on the amplitude of the active surface and on the F/# to keep the image quality. Experimental results obtained with a simple prototype using a ferrofluidic deformable mirror as the active surface are also presented. The local magnifications obtained are in agreement with the developed mathematical model.
authors: COPL, Laval University, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6 Canada.
authors: Jocelyn
authors: J
authors: Parent
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Thibault