Rotationally shift invariant and multi-layered microlens array

A rotationally shift invariant system, comprising:

• a first spherical structure of a plurality of microlens arrays having one or more microlens elements that are arranged in a multi-axis concentric manner;
• a second spherical structure of a plurality of microlens arrays concentrically within the first spherical structure having one or more microlens elements that are arranged in a multi-axis concentric manner, the microlens elements in the first spherical structure and the microlens elements in the second spherical structure being arranged with respect to one another to thereby define a plurality of radially arranged optical channels between the first and second spherical structures;
• a detector substantially centrally located within the first spherical structure;
• and
• wherein a center of curvature of both the first and second spherical structures is at the detector, and further wherein the microlens elements in the second spherical structure capture light from the microlens elements in the first set of the one or more microlens array shell structures from a 4π steradian field of view and directs the light towards the detector so that the light traverses at least two of the optical channels while advancing towards the detector.

A method for light collection, comprising the steps of:

• providing a light collection system having a light source, a first set of one or more microlens array shell structures each having a first focal point and a first array of microlenses, and a second set of one or more microlens array shell structures having a second array of microlenses, wherein the first and second sets of one or more microlens array shell structures have multi-axis concentrically arranged bulk optical components, microlenses in the first microlens array and microlenses in the second microlens array being arranged with respect to one another to thereby define a plurality of radially arranged optical channels between the first set and the second set;
• wherein the first set and the second set of one or more microlens array shell structures have a pitch offset;
• and
• focusing light from the light source at each of the first focal points, wherein the bulk optical components in the second set of the one or more microlens array shell structures capture light from the bulk optical components in the first set of the one or more microlens array shell structures from a 4π steradian field of view and directs the light towards a central location so that the light traverses at least two of the optical channels while advancing towards the central location.