  We propose a novel instrument design to greatly expand the current optical
and near-infrared SETI search parameter space by monitoring the entire
observable sky during all observable time. This instrument is aimed to search
for technosignatures by means of detecting nano- to micro-second light pulses
that could have been emitted, for instance, for the purpose of interstellar
communications or energy transfer. We present an instrument conceptual design
based upon an assembly of 198 refracting 0.5-m telescopes tessellating two
geodesic domes. This design produces a regular layout of hexagonal collecting
apertures that optimizes the instrument footprint, aperture diameter,
instrument sensitivity and total field-of-view coverage. We also present the
optical performance of some Fresnel lenses envisaged to develop a dedicated
panoramic SETI (PANOSETI) observatory that will dramatically increase sky-area
searched (pi steradians per dome), wavelength range covered, number of stellar
systems observed, interstellar space examined and duration of time monitored
with respect to previous optical and near-infrared technosignature finders.
