Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Josep Nicolás.
We propose a new method for evaluating and correcting aberrations in a Vander Lugt correlator. The technique is achieved with liquid-crystal displays of the correlator and allows the task to be performed in situ. We present the theory on which the method is based and the experimental results that we obtained by applying it in a convergent correlator.
The accuracy and flexibility of the technique proposed by Davis et al. [Appl. Opt. 35, 2488 (1996)] for the encoding of the amplitude and the phase of a filter onto a single liquid-crystal spatial light modulator operating in a phase-only regime has been exploited to implement several filter designs in a convergent optical correlator. We have selected some filters, that given their mathematical structure showing some degree of rotational invariance, or having a parameter to regulate their behavior, require amore precise encoding. We present correlation results of outstanding quality for various rotationally invariant filter designs that have never been previously implemented with a real-time optical correlator.
We propose what is to our knowledge a novel technique for filtering a two-dimensional multichannel color image based on its interpretation as a three-dimensional (3D) signal and the application of a 3D Fourier transform. The color image is considered to have the two usual spatial coordinates with the color distribution as the third dimension of the signal. This approach permits the 3D generalization of the usual phase-only filter and phase correlation, and color pattern recognition can be performed by means of a 3D correlation. We analyze two cases: whitening only along the color Fourier spectrum and whitening the whole 3D Fourier spectrum. We study the transformation induced in the color content of the image by the whitening of the color Fourier spectrum and how it affects the correlation distribution. In particular it is demonstrated that the whitening of the 3D Fourier spectrum improves the recognition performance of the correlation.
Recently, the use of three-dimensional correlation for multichannel pattern recognition has been introduced. In this work we propose the use of circular harmonic components with this new technique to obtain invariance under target rotations. The differences between this method and the previous use of circular harmonic filters for multichannel images are discussed. Also the problem of determining the proper center is studied and, to our knowledge, a new and more understandable criterion to locate it is introduced. Some simulation results to verify the successful operation of the method are included.
The convergent correlator is widely used but it presents the drawback of the alignment requirements: fine focusing of the input scene Fourier transform on the filter plane, filter centering, scaling the scene Fourier transform to match the filter size, and azimuth matching of the filter with the input scene. We propose a set of tests to obtain a precise alignment of the convergent correlator. These methods are based on frequency filtering properties and they are applicable either for amplitude input or for phase-encoded input. The tests we present allow us to fulfill all the alignment requirements. The theory on which these tests are based is explained. The experimental results obtained during the alignment procedure are presented. We show some additional verifications of the correct alignment of the convergent correlator.
We study the modulation of programmable birefringent devices when they are illuminated by elliptically polarized light. We apply the theory to liquid-crystal display panels (LCDs). We consider the setups at the input and the output sides of the LCD as polarization-state generators (PSGs) or detectors (PSDs). We demonstrate that once the programmable birefringent device is described by a physical model, the amplitude and phase modulation depend only on the polarization state at the input of the device and on the output state detected behind it. This permits optimization of the modulation response only in terms of the input and the output states and the physical model of the device. The procedure to find the PSG and PSD configurations is detailed by using a geometrical interpretation of the states and the plates on the Poincaré sphere.