In a research conducted by Engineers at Ohio State University, a freeform and diamond-turned prism array was designed and fabricated to enable users to view objects of microscopic dimensions in nine angles simultaneously, resulting in a three dimensional image.
Milled Freeform Prism Array
The still lens is the first-of-its-kind that can be utilized to develop a three dimensional image of microscopic dimensions.
Researchers, Lei Li and Allen Yi, have given a detailed information of the prism array in the Journal of the Optical Society of America A. The prism array was positioned on a microscope that is equipped with a camera, which looks down via the faceted area. The specimens to be studied were placed under the flat side of the prism.
Three dimensional images of specimens are obtained by capturing images reflected from each facet of the prism and then later superimposing them using a computer. The engineers confirmed that they could capture three dimensional images of a ballpoint pen tip and a miniature drill bit measuring 1 and 0.2 mm, respectively.
A sample model of the prism array, which is as small as a fingernail, is bounded by eight facets. Yi added that conventional molding methods can be used to develop the prism arrays in a cost-effective way.
Source: http://www.osu.edu/