Increment of lateral resolution in digital holography by speckle noise removal

Experimental features such as wavelength, camera specifications and reconstruction distance determine the theoretical limit for lateral resolution in digital holography. However, the actual experimental resolution limit is about 50% below such theoretical limit due to the high-contrast speckle noise presented in the reconstructed holograms. Recently, a technique has been introduced to reduce the contrast of speckle noise that is based on the superposition of uncorrelated hologram reconstructions of the same static object [5] (Garcia-Sucerquia et al., 2006). By this approach of reducing the contrast of the speckle noise, it is experimentally shown that an improvement of the order of 50% can be reached when 100 reconstructed images are superimposed.     

Study on the reduction of speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital hologram

As one of the most important 3-D display technique, reduction of speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital holography should be grounded on the digital hologram itself. Based on the whole process of the recording and reconstruction of digital holography, the optical distributions of recorded object and reconstructed image of digital holography have been studied. It has been proposed that the root formation cause of speckle noise in its reconstructed image is the speckle noise formed on the recorded object surface when illuminated by coherent light because of its optical roughness. A novel approach has been presented to reduce speckle noise in digital holography by changing the interference structure of hologram itself. First, by reducing the speckle noise in the reconstructed image, the distribution of ideal reconstruction light with reduced speckle noise is acquired. Then in turn, taking the ideal reconstruction light with reduced speckle noise as ideal object light, a new hologram can be rebuilt, which can reconstruct the ideal object light. The experimental results are given to confirm the proposed method. Therefore, it offers a brand-new thought and practical way to reduce the speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital holography.     

High resolution digital holography

In digital Fresnel holography, present specifications of charge-coupled device cameras require the incident beams to be quasi-parallel. That implies large speckle grain size and low lateral resolution in reconstructed images. Better lateral resolutions are demonstrated in our work, down to 8 μm, allowing the observation of sub-millimetre objects by digital holography. The experimental set-up built samples the incident light distribution with a definition of 500 pixels mm⁻¹. The maximum acceptable angle is then widened and the hologram recording and reconstruction distances are drastically reduced, as well as the speckle size. Interferometric holography was implemented for the measurement of the deformation of a sub-millimetre silicon cantilever and results in phase-contrasts imaging are also reported. The design of dedicated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor active pixel sensor cameras is also discussed.     

基于多角度无透镜傅里叶变换数字全息的散斑噪声抑制成像研究

在数字全息成像中,散斑噪声严重影响了再现像的信噪比和成像分辨率,因此为了提高数字全息成像质量,迫切需要抑制再现像的散斑噪声.分析并给出了矩形散射光斑的强度协方差,定量计算了特定实验条件下产生退相关散斑图样的最小角度差.结合透镜的性质设计并搭建了多角度无透镜傅里叶变换数字全息成像系统,利用光纤端面在透镜焦平面的二维机械移动代替传统反射镜的旋转,使照明光束在不改变照明位置和大小的同时,可任意改变光束方向.移动光纤端面使多角度照明满足最小角度差,获取了81幅数字全息图.利用单次快速傅里叶逆变换实现数值再现,对多幅再现像的强度像求平均,实验结果表明散斑对比度降低为单幅再现像的14.6%,使图像信噪比提高了6.9倍.该抑制散斑的多角度数字全息成像方法有效的抑制了散斑噪声,且成像光路结构简单,可操作性强.     

An effective method for reducing speckle noise in digital holography

An effective method for reducing the speckle noise in digital holography is proposed in this paper.Different from the methods based on classical filtering technique,it utilizes the multiple holograms which are generated by rotating the illuminating light continuously.The intensity images reconstructed by a series of holograms generated by rotating the illuminating light possess different speckle patterns.Hence by properly averaging the reconstructed intensity fields,the speckle noises can be reduced greatly.Experimental results show that the proposed method is simple and effective to reduce speckle noise in digital holography.     

Improvement of signal-to-noise ratio in digital holography using wavelet transform

The basic problem in optical and digital holography is the presence of speckle noise in the reconstruction process, which reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The presence of speckle noise is serious drawback in optical and digital holography since it substantially reduces the SNR in the reconstructed image. In this paper, we present wavelet filtering to improve SNR in the reconstructed images from digital holograms. Experimental results are presented.     

Incoherent recovering of the spatial resolution in digital holography

We report on a technique to recover the spatial resolution of digitally recorded and reconstructed holograms of large objects. Due to the high-contrast speckle noise diminishes the spatial resolution in coherent imaging systems our proposal is based on the reduction of the contrast of it. This aim is achieved through the superposition on an intensity basis of digitally reconstructed holograms of the same static scene. We show a theoretical justification of the procedure and experimentally-obtained results of applying the technique with digitally reconstructed holograms of an object with very poor optical contrast.     

Perfect digital holographic imaging with high resolution using a submillimeter-dimension CCD sensor

In order to improve the resolution of digital holography with a common-dimension charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, the point spread functions are briefly derived for the commonly used and practical post-magnification, pre-magnification, and image-plane digital holographic microscopic systems. The ultimate resolutions of these systems are analyzed and compared. The results show that the ultimate lateral resolution of pre-magnification digital holography is superior to that of post-magnification digital holography in the same conditions. We also demonstrate that the ultimate lateral resolution of image-plane digital holography has no correlation with the photosensitive dimension of the CCD sensor, and it is not significantly related to the pixel size of the sensor. Moreover, both the ultimate resolution and the imaging quality of image-plane digital holography are superior to that of pre- and post-magnification digital holographic microscopy. High-resolution imaging, whose resolution is close to the ultimate resolution of the microscope objective, can be achieved by image-plane digital holography even with a submillimeter-dimension sensor. This system, by which perfect imaging can be achieved, is optimal for commonly used digital holographic microscopy. Experimental results demonstrate the correctness of the theoretical analysis.     

The influence of hologram aperture on speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital holography and its reduction

Based on the whole process of the recording and reconstruction of digital holography, we study the formation cause of speckle noise in its reconstructed image and acquire the conclusion that the small size of hologram aperture diffraction aggravates the speckle noise of reconstructed image and the speckle noise has been one of primary noise sources in the reconstruction process. In order to reduce the speckle noise resulting from little hologram aperture diffraction, we set an appropriate aperture function matching the recording parameter and aperture size of hologram and deconvolve the reconstructed image with it. The validity has been proved in theory and experiment. Therefore, it offers a brand-new thought and practical way to reduce the speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital holography.     

Enhanced angular selectivity in volume holograms with speckle reference waves

A speckle-multiplexing scheme with enhanced angular selectivity for holographic storage is proposed. Angular selectivity in the proposed holographic storage system is theoretically and experimentally investigated. We find the effect of speckle reference wave on angular selectivity strongly depends on the techniques to perform multiplexing for holographic storage. Angular selectivity of a holographic storage system can be effectively enhanced as long as angular deviation of reading wave induces a lateral displacement of the speckle pattern on the hologram plane. When angular deviation of reading wave only induces a speckle wavefront tilt on the hologram plane, the speckle wave is not helpful to enhance the angular selectivity and the angular selectivity becomes to depend on material thickness (Bragg condition) only.     

Reduction of speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital holography

Based on the whole process of recording and reconstruction of digital holography, we study the formation causes of speckle noise in the reconstructed image and its characteristics. And we reach the conclusions that the little hologram aperture diffraction aggravates the speckle noise and the speckle noise in the reconstructed image is a kind of multiplicative noise. Serving as the basis of these features, we propose the reduction technique for speckle noise. Firstly, we set an appropriate aperture function matching the recording parameter and an aperture size of hologram and deconvolve the reconstructed image of the hologram with it. Secondly, we converted the multiplicative noise into additive noise by means of homomorphic transform and realize the separation of signal and noise. Thirdly, we applied the Wiener filtering to reduce the additive noise. Finally, we carried out the inverse transformation. The proposed reduction technique is illustrated with experimental results. Therefore, the paper offers a brand-new thought and practical way of reducing the speckle noise in the reconstructed image of digital holography.     

利用小尺寸电荷耦合器件实现数字全息高分辨成像

为了在降低数字全息显微成像系统成本的同时实现高分辨成像,对像面数字全息显微术的记录与再现过程进行了理论分析,结合系统的点扩散函数,对该系统的横向分辨率进行了分析. 得到了如下结论：像面数字全息显微系统的横向分辨率对电荷耦合器件（CCD）光敏面尺寸变化不敏感;对于常见的CCD 器件,其像元尺寸的变化对该系统的横向分辨率影响甚微. 此外,对像面数字全息显微系统的成像特点进行了分析,结果表明：利用像面数字全息系统可以实现物体信息的完整记录与再现,其成像分辨率及像质优于预放大数字全息系统. 利用搭建的数字全息实验记录系统,从强度及位相两方面对理论分析结果进行了验证,实验结果表明了理论分析的正确性. 关键词： 像面数字全息术 横向分辨率 点扩散函数 小尺寸电荷耦合器件     

基于数学形态学的数字全息再现像融合方法

针对数字全息中不同再现距离获得的携带不同聚焦信息的再现像, 提出了一种基于数学形态学的多聚焦再现像融合方法, 以有效扩展成像景深。首先通过小波-Controulet变换获得源图像的高频和低频分量;然后, 针对数字全息中含散斑噪声的特点, 对高频分量采用基于数学形态学区域能量的方法进行融合, 对低频分量采用加权对比度法进行融合;最后, 将融合系数反变换得到融合图像。通过对算法的有效性分析和实验验证, 将本文提出的方法与不加入数学形态学的融合方法进行了对比研究。结果表明, 基于数学形态学的融合方法能充分抑制散斑噪声的影响, 保留更多细节信息, 有效扩展了成像景深范围达11.5 cm。其中, 对于表面粗糙且信息量较少的骰子, 基于数学形态学方法的空间梯度算子提高了11.8%, 熵值提高了2.7%;对于表面光滑且信息量较多的硬币, 其空间梯度算子提高了13.6%, 熵值提高了2.8%。     

Analysis of reflection speckle holograms in a BSO crystal

A theoretical and experimental study of speckle registering in photorefractive BSO crystals through reflection hologram geometry is implemented. The three-dimensional speckle nature is considered in the diffraction efficiency calculations. The interference process produces index-of-refraction gratings in the speckle volume via the photorefractive effect. It is demonstrated that the coupled-wave theory for reflection geometry allows explaining the diffraction efficiency behavior when the interaction length is properly taken into account. It means that the speckle depth is related with the interaction length. The speckle depth can be controlled by the imaging system pupil aperture diameter. Under this condition, the influence of the speckle depth on the diffraction efficiency is analyzed. An agreement between the numerical model based on the coupled-wave theory and the experimental results is obtained.     

预放大数字全息显微系统的特点

为了提高预放大数字全息显微系统的成像质量,采用理论分析与实验验证相结合的方法,分别对采用平面及球面参考光记录的预放大数字全息显微系统进行了研究和比较。结果表明:在通常的实验条件下,系统的横向分辨力主要取决于显微物镜的成像分辨力;记录距离较小时,两种系统的横向分辨力均随着记录距离的增大略有降低;但当记录距离较大时,球面参考光预放大数字全息系统的横向分辨力降低得更为明显,即平面参考光预放大数字全息显微系统较为优越;在记录距离为0的情况下,即像面数字全息成像情况下,两种系统的再现像均具有最高的分辨力,在利用普通工业用传感器条件下,横向分辨力远超过了2.19 m,且像质较好。因此,尽可能减小全息图的记录距离,或者采用像面数字全息系统,可以有效提高数字全息系统的成像分辨力。     

Speckle noise reduction in digital holography by use of multiple polarization holograms

A novel speckle reduction technique for digital holography is proposed. Multiple off-axis holograms are recorded using a circularly polarized illumination beam and a rotating linearly polarized reference beam. The speckle noise in the reconstructed images is suppressed by averaging these fields. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique experimentally and conduct additional statistical evaluation.     

Reduction of speckle noise in digital holography by using digital image processing

A fundamental problem in optical and digital holography is the presence of speckle noise in the reconstruction process. Many approaches have been carried out in order to overcome such a problem ranging from modifying the spatial coherence of the illumination (optical techniques) to image processing techniques (digital techniques). This work shows the merged use of digital image processing techniques in order to reduce the speckle noise in digital reconstruction of optically recorded Fresnel's holograms. The proposed filtering techniques are illustrated with experimental results.     

数字全息干涉法用于变形测量

介绍了数字全息干涉法的原理,针对激光散斑噪声对包裹干涉相位图样的影响,将小波去噪分析用于图样预处理,可以提高解相精度.用该方法对四周固定、中心加载典型试件的位移进行了测试.实验结果表明,该方法简单、快速、可行.     

Quantitative detection and compensation of phase-shifting error in two-step phase-shifting digital holography

Phase-shifting digital holographic technique is a powerful tool for the measurement of various physical parameters, such as object deformation and liquid or cell’s refractive index change. However, for an accurate measurement, phase-shifting error in the reference wave path is still a major issue. In this paper, three novel and simple algorithms are proposed to quantitatively detect and correct phase-shifting error for a pure phase object in two-step phase-shifting digital holography. Influence of phase-shifting error is illustrated, and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated by numerical simulation results.     

Improvement of speckle noise suppression in digital holography by rotating linear polarization state

An improved polarization recording approach to reduce speckle noise in digital holography is proposed. Multiple off-axis holograms are obtained by rotating the linear polarization state of both illumination and reference wave simultaneously. By averaging the intensity fields, the speckle noise in the reconstructed images is well suppressed. Statistical evaluation of the experimental results shows the effectiveness and improvement of the proposed method.