Fully phase image encryption using double random-structured phase masks in gyrator domain.

We propose a method for fully phase image encryption based on double random-structured phase mask encoding in the gyrator transform (GT) domain. The security of the system is strengthened by parameters used in the construction of a structured phase mask (SPM) based on a devil's vortex Fresnel lens (DVFL). The input image is recovered using the correct parameters of the SPMs, transform orders of the GT, and conjugate of the random phase masks. The use of a DVFL-based SPM enhances security by increasing the key space for encryption, and also overcomes the problem of axis alignment associated with an optical setup. The proposed scheme can also be implemented optically. The computed values of mean squared error between the retrieved and the original image show the efficacy of the proposed scheme. We have also investigated the scheme's sensitivity to the encryption parameters, and robustness against occlusion and multiplicative Gaussian noise attacks.

Optical image encryption using a jigsaw transform for silhouette removal in interference-based methods and decryption with a single spatial light modulator.

Interference-based optical encryption schemes have an inherent silhouette problem due to the equipollent nature of the phase-only masks (POMs) generated using an analytical method. One of the earlier methods suggested that removing the problem by use of exchanging process between two masks increases the computational load. This shortcoming is overcome with a noniterative method using the jigsaw transformation (JT) in a single step, with improved security because the inverse JT of these masks, along with correct permutation keys that are necessary to decrypt the original image. The stringent alignment requirement of the POMs in two different arms during the experiment is removed with an alternative method using a single spatial light modulator. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the decryption process with the proposed method.

Reliability of content-addressable data search in a defocused volume holographic data storage system.

We investigate for suitable methods that enable reliable content-addressable data search in a defocused volume holographic data storage system. Two techniques have been introduced and are shown to overcome the shortcomings of the known methods used to perform content searching in defocused holographic recording geometry. In effect, we remove the deterministic errors that result because of the presence of nonmatching database records, producing almost the same correlation scores as the true targeted correlation scores. Such deterministic errors give rise to erroneous search outcomes and reduce the speed advantage of the parallel holographic data search. We present experimental results and discuss the improvements offered by the two introduced methods in terms of storage density and measured correlation scores. Both the methods of modified-balanced and 25% sparse modulation coded data pages are found to produce good results, negating the undesired correlation characteristics.

Content-addressable holographic data storage system for invariant pattern recognition of gray-scale images.

Conventionally a holographic data storage system uses binary digital data as the input pages. We propose and demonstrate the use of a holographic data storage system for the purpose of invariant pattern recognition of gray-scale images. To improve the correlation accuracy for gray-scale images, we present a coding technique, phase Fourier transform (phase-FT) coding, to code a gray-scale image into a random and balanced digital binary image. In addition to the fact that a digital data page is obtained for incorporation into a holographic data storage system, this phase-FT coded image produces dc-free homogenized Fourier spectrum. This coded image can also be treated as an image for further processing, such as synthesis of distortion-invariant filters for invariant pattern recognition. A space-domain synthetic discriminant function (SDF) filter has been synthesized using these phase-FT coded images for rotation-invariant pattern recognition. Both simulation and experimental results are presented. The results show good correlation accuracy in comparison to correlation results obtained for SDF filter synthesized using the original gray-scale images themselves.

Phase-image-based sparse-gray-level data pages for holographic data storage.

We propose a method for implementation of gray-scale sparse block modulation codes with a single spatial light modulator in phase mode for holographic data storage. Sparse data pages promise higher recording densities with reduced consumption of the dynamic range of the recording material and reduced interpixel cross talk. A balanced sparse-gray-level phase data page gives a homogenized Fourier spectrum that improves the interference efficiency between the signal and the reference beams. Construction rules for sparse three-gray-level phase data pages, readout methods, and interpixel cross talk are discussed extensively. We also explore theoretically the potential storage density improvement while using low-pass filtering and sparse-gray-level phase data pages for holographic storage, and demonstrate the trade-off between code rate, block length, and estimated capacity gain.

Impulse attack-free four random phase mask encryption based on a 4-f optical system.

Optical encryption methods based on double random phase encryption (DRPE) have been shown to be vulnerable to different types of attacks. The Fourier plane random phase mask (RPM), which is the most important key, can be cracked with a single impulse function attack. Such an attack is viable because the Fourier transform of a delta function is a unity function. Formation of a unity function can be avoided if RPMs are placed in front of both lenses in a 4-f optical setup, thereby protecting the DRPE from an impulse attack. We have performed numerical simulations to verify the proposed scheme. Resistance of this scheme is checked against the brute force and the impulse function attacks. The experimental results validate the feasibility of the scheme.

Tight focusing of vortex beams in presence of primary astigmatism.

The tight focusing of vortex carrying beams is studied using the Debye-Wolf diffraction integral in the presence of primary astigmatism. The roles of topological charge, polarization distribution of the input beam, and handedness of the beam polarization are investigated in the intensity distribution of the focal plane of a high-numerical-aperture lens. The effect of tight focusing in the presence of astigmatism on the dark core of the azimuthally polarized beam is also investigated and compared with the dark core of a circularly polarized vortex beam. The effect of an aberration has been discussed in the context of the fluorescent spot size in the focal plane of a stimulated emission depletion microscope for two different polarization setups.

Impulse attack free double-random-phase encryption scheme with randomized lens-phase functions.

Security of the conventional Fourier-based double-random-phase encryption (DRPE) technique is prone to impulse attacks, as the Fourier transform (FT) of a delta function results in a unity function. To negate such an attack, the phase factors of the lenses are modified by multiplying these with random-phase functions. Owing to this modification of the FT as a result of the randomized lens phase function, a modified FT (MFTLR) gives the random output for a delta function input. Employing MFTLR in the DRPE technique enhances the security features and makes the encryption system safer from the impulse attack. Numerical and experimental results are given for the validation of the proposed technique.

Improved data search by zero-order (dc) peak filtering in a defocused volume holographic content-addressable memory.

Defocusing the recording material away from the Fourier plane is necessary to reduce the strong dc component and produce a more homogeneous object beam distribution in the hologram plane in volume holographic digital data-storage systems with amplitude-modulated data pages. However, content-addressable searching with defocused recording results in higher cross-correlation peak intensities. We present a method for performing a faithful content-addressable search in a defocused volume holographic data-storage system. A new dc-filtered content-addressable search method for defocused volume holographic data-storage systems with binary data pages is demonstrated. Both simulation and experimental results are presented. The experimental results show good discrimination capability and confirm the feasibility of the proposed technique.

Effect of primary spherical aberration on high-numerical-aperture focusing of a Laguerre-Gaussian beam.

Effect of primary spherical aberration on the tight focusing of linearly and circularly polarized Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams is studied by using the vectorial Debye integral. Results are presented for the intensity distribution and square of the polarization components. In the case of the linearly polarized LG beam with unit and double topological charge, the presence of aberration reduces the residual intensity at the focal point and spreads the sidelobes. If the beam is circularly polarized, the aberration results in an increase in the size of the dark core along with a reduction in the intensity at the periphery of the bright ring. The effect of aberration is also discussed in the context of the fluorescent spot size in the focal plane of a stimulated-emission-depletion microscope.

Formation of all fourteen Bravais lattices of three-dimensional photonic crystal structures by a dual beam multiple-exposure holographic technique.

We make use of a dual beam multiple-exposure (DBME) holographic technique for the formation of all 14 Bravais lattices of three-dimensional photonic crystal microstructures. For simplicity of experimental implementation, the DBME method has been modified such that, prior to each exposure, once the proper angle between the wave vectors of the interfering beams is chosen, a single axis rotation of the recording medium gives the desired results. The parameters required for the generation of the lattice structures have been derived by appropriate modification of interference of four noncoplanar beams (IFNB) analysis for corresponding implementation in the DBME technique, and the results have been verified by computer simulations. After giving a comparative study of the results with the IFNB method, recording geometries for the DBME approach are also proposed in order to realize all 14 Bravais lattices experimentally.

Performance analysis of content-addressable search and bit-error rate characteristics of a defocused volume holographic data storage system.

One of the methods for smoothing the high intensity dc peak in the Fourier spectrum for reducing the reconstruction error in a Fourier transform volume holographic data storage system is to record holograms some distance away from or in front of the Fourier plane. We present the results of our investigation on the performance of such a defocused holographic data storage system in terms of bit-error rate and content search capability. We have evaluated the relevant recording geometry through numerical simulation, by obtaining the intensity distribution at the output detector plane. This has been done by studying the bit-error rate and the content search capability as a function of the aperture size and position of the recording material away from the Fourier plane.

Recognition and classification of three-dimensional phase objects by digital Fresnel holography.

We demonstrate the validity of wavelet-based processing for recognition and classification of three-dimensional phase objects. One Fresnel digital hologram of each of the three-dimensional (3-D) phase objects to be classified is recorded. The electronic holograms are processed digitally to permit 3-D object information to be retrieved as two-dimensional digital complex images. We use a Mexican-hat wavelet- matched filter (WMF) to enhance the correlation peak and discriminate between the objects. The WMF performs a wavelet transform (WT) to enhance the significant features of the images and the correlation of the WT coefficients thus obtained. We compare the feasibility of a WMF-based object classifier with the matched-filter-based classifier to classify our four 3-D phase objects in a 3-D scene into true or false classes with minimal error.

Electrochemical studies on surfactant-modified cellulose acetate membrane.

The possibility of electrochemical modification of cellulose acetate membrane upon immobilization of the anionic surfactant (SDS) has been explored on the basis of membrane potential studies. Surface tension measurements with and without cellulose acetate membrane were carried out to ascertain the extent of immobilization of the surfactant. Cellulose acetate membrane practically does not exhibit any ion selectivity. However, modified membrane exhibits cation selectivity which varies with concentration of the surfactant till its critical micelle concentration is reached. An attempt has also been made to demonstrate correspondence between the immobilized surfactant and the permselectivity of the membrane.