We highlight the interest of using the indices of polarimetric purity (IPPs) to the inspection of biological tissues. The IPPs were recently proposed in the literature and they result in a further synthetization of the depolarizing properties of samples. Compared with standard polarimetric images of biological samples, IPP-based images lead to larger image contrast of some biological structures and to a further physical interpretation of the depolarizing mechanisms inherent to the samples. In addition, unlike other methods, their calculation do not require advanced algebraic operations (as is the case of polar decompositions), and they result in 3 indicators of easy implementation. We also propose a pseudo-colored encoding of the IPP information that leads to an improved visualization of samples. This last technique opens the possibility of tailored adjustment of tissues contrast by using customized pseudo-colored images. The potential of the IPP approach is experimentally highlighted along the manuscript by studying 3 different ex-vivo samples. A significant image contrast enhancement is obtained by using the IPP-based methods, compared to standard polarimetric images.

We show that both a lens and a nonuniform amplitude transmission filter can be encoded simultaneously onto a twisted nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) working in the phase-only mode. The inherent equivalent apodization that is due to the pixelated structure of the SLM is compensated for. In addition, different types of nonuniform transmission pupil such as transverse apodizing, transverse hyperresolving, and axial hyperresolving (multifocusing) filters are implemented. The excellent agreement between numerical and experimental results shows the capability of this method to encode amplitude apodizers on a phase-only SLM.

Optical methods, as fluorescence microscopy or hyperspectral imaging, are commonly used for plants visualization and characterization. Another powerful collection of optical techniques is the so-called polarimetry, widely used to enhance image contrast in multiple applications. In the botanical applications framework, in spite of some works have already highlighted the depolarizing print that plant structures left on input polarized beams, the potential of polarimetric methods has not been properly exploited. In fact, among the few works dealing with polarization and plants, most of them study light scattered by plants using the Degree of Polarization (DoP) indicator. Other more powerful depolarization metrics are nowadays neglected. In this context, we highlight the potential of different depolarization metrics obtained using the Mueller matrix (MM) measurement: the Depolarization Index and the Indices of Polarimetric Purity. We perform a qualitative and quantitative comparison between DoP- and MM-based images by studying a particular plant, the Hedera maroccana. We show how Mueller-based metrics are generally more suitable in terms of contrast than DoP-based measurements. The potential of polarimetric measurements in the study of plants is highlighted in this work, suggesting they can be applied to the characterization of plants, plant taxonomy, water stress in plants, and other botanical studies.

A combination of several diffractive lenses written onto a single programmable liquid crystal display (LCD) is proposed for increasing the Depth of Focus (DOF) of the imaging system as a whole. The lenses are spatially multiplexed in a random scheme onto the LCD. The axial irradiance distribution produced by each lens overlaps with the next one producing an extended focal depth. To compare the image quality of the multiplexed lenses, the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is calculated. Finally we obtain the experimental Point Spread Functions (PSF) for these multiplexed lenses and experimental results in which an extended object is illuminated under spatially incoherent monochromatic light. We compare the images obtained in the focal plane and in some defocused planes with the single lens and with three multiplexed lenses. The experimental results confirm that the multiplexed lenses produce a high increase in the depth of focus. References and links 1.H. Fukuda, "A new pupil filter for annular illumination in optical lithography," Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 31, 4126-4130 (1992). 2.R. Hild, M. J. Yzuel and J. C. Escalera, "High focal depth imaging of small structures," Microelectron. Eng. 34, 195-214 (1997). 3.G. G. Yang, "An optical pickup using a diffractive optical element for a high-density optical disc," Opt. Commun. 159, 19-22 (1999). 4.H. Wang and F. Gan, "High focal depth with a pure-phase apodizer," Appl. Opt. 40, 5658-5662 (2001). 5.W. T Welford, "Use of annular aperture to increase focal depth," J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 50, 749-753 (1960). 6. Z. S Hegedus, "Annular pupil arrays. Application to confocal scanning," Opt. Acta. 32, 815-826 (1985). 7.J. C. Escalera, M. J. Yzuel and J. Campos, "Control of the polychromatic response of an optical system through the use of annular color filters," Appl. Opt. 34, 1655-1663 (1995).

Programmable apodizers written on a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM) offer the possibility of modifying the point spread function (PSF) of an optical system in monochromatic light with a high degree of flexibility. Extension to polychromatic light has to take into account the liquid crystal response dependence on the wavelength. Proper control of the chromatic properties of the LCSLM in combination with the design of the correct apodizer is necessary for this new range of applications. In this paper we report a successful application of a programmable amplitude apodizer illuminated with polychromatic light. We use an axial apodizing filter to compensate the longitudinal secondary axial color (LSAC) effects of a refractive optical system on the polychromatic PSF. The configuration of the LCSLM has been optimized to obtain a good amplitude transmission in polychromatic light. Agreement between experimental and simulated results shows the feasibility of our proposal.