Thin film notch filters as platforms for biological image processing

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel all-optical method using thin film notch filters for real-time biological image processing, enabling label-free imaging and dynamic monitoring of transparent samples.

Contribution

It introduces a non-local, non-interferometric approach to spatial frequency filtering using commercial spectral filters for biological imaging.

Findings

Real-time pseudo-3D images of biological samples generated

Effective label-free imaging of transparent cells demonstrated

Potential for dynamic biological monitoring shown

Abstract

Many image processing operations involve the modification of the spatial frequency content of images. Here we demonstrate object-plane spatial frequency filtering utilizing the angular sensitivity of a commercial spectral bandstop filter. This approach to all-optical image processing is shown to generate real-time pseudo-3D images of transparent biological and other samples, such as human cervical cancer cells. This work demonstrates the potential of non-local, non-interferometric approaches to image processing for uses in label-free biological cell imaging and dynamical monitoring.