Experimental camera can focus on multiple planes simultaneously

Carnegie Mellon researchers developed a "computational lens" that can focus on multiple distances simultaneously within a single photograph, solving photography's limitation of capturing only one focal plane at a time. The Split-Lohmann lens combines curved lenses with a spatial light modulator that bends light differently at each pixel, while autofocus technology divides images into regions that independently determine optimal focus depth. This breakthrough enables perfectly focused images at 21 frames per second and could transform photography, microscopy, and automated camera systems.