Development and Analysis of Space-based Diffractive Optical Imaging Techniques

Diffractive membrane elements are manufactured by processing microstructures on the substrates. Optical imaging systems adopting diffractive membrane elements as the primary lenses possess the advantages of large aperture, light weight and low cost, which become an important development direction for high-orbit space loads. In this paper, we analyze and summary the development of space-based diffractive membrane imaging system. First, the developments of diffractive membrane remote sensing camera are introduced. Subsequently, the imaging mechanism and characteristics are analyzed. Finally, we summary the existing problems and development prospects of this imaging system as the large-aperture and high-resolution space load, and make recommendations on crucial relevant work should to be carried out in the future.