Comparative study of pattern correlation using Mexican hat and Coiflet wavelet-based filtering

In this work, a numerical study on the pattern correlation using wavelet filters is reported. A comparative study of the correlation using the Mexican hat and Coiflets filters is presented. A Coiflet filter acts not only as a band-pass filter but as a high-pass or low-pass filter. Therefore, unlike the Mexican hat-based filter which acts only as a pass-band filter, the Coiflet-based filters allow selecting horizontal, vertical or diagonals details of the original image. Each one of the original images can be discomposed in an average image and several detail images at different levels of multiresolution. We study the numerical correlation between binary patterns using the Mexican hat filter and the first and second multiresolution level obtained by Coiflet filtering. Additionally, an analysis about the noise immunity for the Mexican hat and Coiflet filters is realized. The results show that Coiflet filters are better to identify special characteristics but perform the worst when they are used with noisy images. On the other side, the Mexican filter presents a better noise immunity but performs the worst when is used to compare special characteristics.     

Speckle noise attenuation in optical coherence tomography by compounding images acquired at different positions of the sample

This study demonstrates a simple method for attenuating the speckle noise generated by coherent multiple-scattered photons in optical-coherence tomography images. The method could be included among the space-diversity techniques used for speckle reduction. It relies on displacing the sample along a weakly focused beam in the sample arm of the interferometer, acquiring a coherent image for each sample position and adding the individual images to form a compounded image. It is proven that the compounded image displays a reduction in the speckle noise generated by multiple scattered photons and an enhancement in the intensity signal caused by single-backscattered photons. To evaluate its potential biomedical applications, the method is used to investigate in vitro a caries lesion affecting the enamel layer of a wisdom tooth. Because of the uncorrelated nature of the speckle noise the compounded image provides a better mapping of the lesion compared to a single (coherent) image.     

Rotation-invariant pattern recognition using morphological phase-only correlation

We present a rotation-invariant nonlinear correlator based on the circular harmonic filter (CHF) and the previously proposed morphological phase-only correlator (MPC) [Q. Wang, S. Liu, Opt. Commun. 244 (2005) 93]. We refer to this correlator as a rotation-invariant MPC (RIMPC). Through computer simulation, we compare the output results of RIMPC with those of rotation-invariant MC (RIMC) and CHF when input scene is corrupted by salt-and-pepper noise, white additive Gaussian noise and cluttered background. Our results show that RIMPC yields higher discriminability, sharper and higher correlation peaks and displays better stability against the above three kinds of noise than do the RIMC and common CHF.     

Cramer-Rao lower bound for the estimation of the degree of polarization in active coherent imagery at low photon levels

The degree of polarization (DOP) is an important tool in many optical measurement and imaging applications. We address the problem of its estimation in images that are perturbed with both speckle and photon noise, by determining the Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) when the illuminated materials are purely depolarizing. We demonstrate that the CRLBs are simply the sum of the CRLBs due to speckle noise and Poisson noise. We use this result to analyze the influence of different optical parameters on DOP estimation.     

Distributed imaging using an array of compressive cameras

We describe a distributed computational imaging system that employs an array of feature specific sensors, also known as compressive imagers, to directly measure the linear projections of an object. Two different schemes for implementing these non-imaging sensors are discussed. We consider the task of object reconstruction and quantify the fidelity of reconstruction using the root mean squared error (RMSE) metric. We also study the lifetime of such a distributed sensor network. The sources of energy consumption in a distributed feature specific imaging (DFSI) system are discussed and compared with those in a distributed conventional imaging (DCI) system. A DFSI system consisting of 20 imagers collecting DCT, Hadamard, or PCA features has a lifetime of 4.8× that of the DCI system when the noise level is 20% and the reconstruction RMSE requirement is 6%. To validate the simulation results we emulate a distributed computational imaging system using an experimental setup consisting of an array of conventional cameras.     

Real-time nondestructive imaging with THz waves

We present a real-time imaging measurement in the terahertz (THz) frequency region. The dynamic subtraction technique is used to reduce long-term optical background drift. The reflective images of two targets, a Nikon camera’s lens cap and a plastic toy gun, are obtained. For the lens cap, the image data were processed to be false-color images. For the toy gun, we show that even under an optically opaque canvas bag, a clear terahertz image is obtained. It is shown that terahertz real-time imaging can be used to nondestructively detect concealed objects.     

Diffraction efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio of multiplexed volume phase holograms recorded in a photographic emulsion

The problems related to noise that arise during recording and reconstruction of holograms used in optical data storage or in massive optical interconnection systems are quite similar and can be analyzed in order to improve the quality of the images that these optical systems provide. In this paper, we will analyze noise in cases in which several coherent object waves are simultaneously stored in a phase recording material in a way that allows us to obtain information about the relationship that exists between the recording material and the number of waves that are being stored. The material used in this study is Agfa Gevaert 8E75 HD holographic film processed with a rehalogenating—type bleach bath without a fixation step. Additionally, we show experimentally that it is possible to holographically store more than 400 waves at the same time (in a coherent fashion) using the same storage geometry, with a signal-to-noise ratio larger than 20 and an average diffraction efficiency of 15%.     

Image watermarking based on an iterative phase retrieval algorithm and sine-cosine modulation in the discrete-cosine-transform domain

A novel digital image watermarking system based on an iterative phase retrieval algorithm and sine-cosine modulation in the discrete-cosine-transform (DCT) domain is proposed. The original hidden image is first encrypted into two phase masks. Then the cosine and sine functions of one of the phase masks are introduced as a watermark to be embedded into an enlarged host image in the DCT domain. By extracting the watermark of the enlarged superposed image and decryption we can retrieve the hidden image. The feasibility of this method and its robustness against some attacks, such as occlusion, noise attacks, quantization have been verified by computer simulations. This approach can avoid the cross-talk noise due to direct information superposition and enhance the imperceptibility of hidden data.     

Scanning optical reconstruction of coded aperture images

A scanning optical technique is described and used to reconstruct coded aperture images obtained with four different kinds of arrays. The feasibility and advantages of the technique are demonstrated experimentally. The results are used to compare the imaging properties of these arrays, i.e.: lateral resolution, background noise and axial (tomographic) resolution.     

Optical color image encryption with redefined fractional Hartley transform

We propose a new method for color image encryption by wavelength multiplexing on the basis of two-dimensional (2-D) generalization of 1-D fractional Hartley transform that has been redefined recently in search of its inverse transform. A color image can be considered as three monochromatic images and then divided into three components and each component is encrypted independently with different wavelength corresponding to red, green or blue light. The system parameters of fractional Hartley transform and random phase masks are keys in the color image encryption and decryption. Only when all of these keys are correct, can the image be well decrypted. The optical realization is then proposed and computer simulations are also performed to confirm the possibility of the proposed method.     

The use of a consumer grade photo camera in optical-digital correlator for pattern recognition and input scene restoration

In this work an optical-digital correlator for pattern recognition and input scene restoration is described. Main features of the described correlator are portability and ability of multi-element input scenes processing. The correlator consists of a consumer grade digital photo camera with a diffractive optical element (DOE) inserted as a correlation filter. Correlation of an input scene with a reference image recorded on the DOE are provided optically and registered by the digital photo camera for further processing. Using obtained correlation signals and DOE’s point spread function (PSF), one can restore the image of the input scene from the image of correlation signals by digital deconvolution algorithms.The construction of the correlator based on the consumer grade digital photo camera is presented. The software procedure that is necessary for images linearization of correlation signals is described. Experimental results on optical correlation are compared with numerical simulation. The results of images restoration from conventionally and specially processed correlation signals are reported. Quantitative estimations of accuracy of correlation signals as well as restored images of the input scene are presented.     

Applications of gyrator transform for image processing

Gyrator transform is a new tool for manipulation of two-dimensional signals such as images or laser beam profiles. Here we demonstrate various applications of the gyrator transform for image processing. Several aspects such as noise reduction, filtering and encryption in the gyrator domains are discussed. These operations can be performed by numerical calculations or by an appropriate optical set up.     

A half-blind color image hiding and encryption method in fractional Fourier domains

We have proposed a new technique for digital image encryption and hiding based on fractional Fourier transforms with double random phases. An original hidden image is encrypted two times and the keys are increased to strengthen information protection. Color image hiding and encryption with wavelength multiplexing is proposed by embedding and encryption in R, G and B three channels. The robustness against occlusion attacks and noise attacks are analyzed. And computer simulations are presented with the corresponding results.     

Cross-talk free image encryption and watermarking by digital holography and random composition

In previous image watermarking methods an encoded host image and a watermark image are usually directly added, consequently the two images have cross-talk in the decryption step. To eliminate this effect, we propose a novel method based on digital holography, in which all the image pixels of the two sets of holograms resulted from two hidden images are rearranged and integrated into one set of composite holograms with a random scattering matrix (RSM). In decryption the use of this matrix can ensure the exact retrieval of each hologram, and then the perfect reconstruction of each image without cross-talk noise can be achieved. The feasibility of this method and its robustness against occlusion and additional noise are verified by computer simulations with phase-shifting interferometry and double random-phase encoding technique. This approach is suitable for both two- and three-dimensional images, and the additional RSM as a key provides a much higher level of security.     

Multiplexing encryption-decryption via lateral shifting of a random phase mask

We present an holographic memory optical arrangement based on the successive shifting of a random pure-phase mask to achieve encrypted images multiplexing. The input images are encrypted to a stationary white noise using the usual double random encoding in the Fresnel domain. The encrypted information is imaged in a photorefractive crystal where also a reference beam impinges. In the holographic memory, a BSO crystal is used to provide both a recording medium and a phase conjugate mirror. The combination of these two features supplies at the same time the necessary exact cancellation of the random pure-phase mask as well as allows a real-time decryption process. Successive images are encrypted and position-encoded by speckle patterns arising from the random pure-phase mask in-plane shifting between exposures. We include experimental results to corroborate the multiplexing capability and the read-out fidelity of the proposed arrangement.     

Eliminating the zero spectrum in Fourier transform profilometry using a two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform

In this paper, a filtering technique based upon two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform (2D-CWT) is used to eliminate the low frequency components of fringe patterns. The filtered fringe patterns are subsequently demodulated using a standard Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) algorithm. This image pre-filtering stage improves the noise performance of the FTP algorithm and enables the FTP method to demodulate fringe patterns with larger bandwidths. Also, the 2D-CWT technique reduces speckle noise significantly. Moreover, only a single fringe pattern is required in this technique. The 2D-CWT algorithm is capable of separating low frequency terms from the high frequency terms that contain phase-modulated fringe information, even when both interfere, greatly, in the frequency domain. The proposed algorithm is tested, both via computer simulation and using real fringe patterns. This revealed the robustness of this algorithm and also demonstrably enables the demodulation of a wider range of fringe patterns using the FTP technique.     

Double-image encryption based on iterative gyrator transform

A novel double-image encryption algorithm is proposed, which can simultaneously encrypt two images into a single one as the amplitude of gyrator transform with two different groups of angles. The two original images can be retrieved independently by gyrator transforms with two different groups of angles, one common phase mask, and two different private phase masks. The proposed approach can enlarge the key space, achieve faster convergence in iterative process, and avoid cross-talk between two images in reconstruction. Numerical simulations are presented to verify its validity and efficiency.     

Quantum optical coherence tomography of a biological sample

Quantum optical coherence tomography (QOCT) makes use of an entangled-photon light source to carry out dispersion-immune axial optical sectioning. We present the first experimental QOCT images of a biological sample: an onion-skin tissue coated with gold nanoparticles. 3D images are presented in the form of 2D sections of different orientations. In the context of quantum information, this represents the first experiment in which a quantum-entangled entity interacts with a biological specimen, generating a collection of quantum interferograms, from which an image is constructed.     

Uncertainty analysis of temporal phase-stepping algorithms for interferometry

We have addressed the problem of the uncertainty evaluation of phase values rendered by two popular algorithms: the N-bucket and the (N + 1)-bucket, both used to exploit temporal phase-stepping techniques. These algorithms, are mainly affected by errors in the calibration of the piezoelectric transducers used to achieve the phase shift, external vibration and optical noise. We have characterized and compared the influences of these errors on the phase uncertainty. We applied a Monte Carlo-based technique of uncertainty propagation that allowed us to consider in the uncertainty evaluation the simultaneous contributions of different error sources. The uncertainty evaluation was performed for phase values in the range (0, 2π), with different values of N and assuming that the phase was calculated from fringe patterns generated by using either Moiré interferometry or electronic speckle-pattern interferometry. We found that the uncertainties associated with the phases rendered by both algorithms are similar and they can be significantly affected by the optical noise and the value of N.     

A combined method for obtaining fringe orientations of ESPI

Fringe orientation can direct the processing of fringe patterns and provide basic information for understanding the fringe patterns. The gradient method is popularly used for its convenience but it is easily affected by noise. The plane-fit method is capable of obtaining precise local fringe orientation despite the high speckle noise but it is strict with the calculating window size. In this paper, a combined method is proposed. This method uses the plane-fit algorithm to get local gradients and uses the gradient method to get the orientation results from these gradients. It can be seen that this new method can get more accurate orientations for ESPI than both the gradient method and the plane-fit method.