Effect of aberrations in vortex spatial filtering

Edge enhancement is a very important operation in image processing and a spiral phase plate can be used as a radial Hilbert mask for isotropic edge enhancement. In this paper we analyze the effect of various Seidel aberrations on the performance of radial Hilbert mask or the vortex phase mask. The aberrated vortex phase mask is implemented optically with the help of a high resolution, spatial light modulator (SLM). It has also been shown that out of various aberrations astigmatism can introduce anisotropy in the Hilbert mask which causes selective edge enhancement.

► We analyze the effects of aberrations in vortex spatial filtering (VSF).
► Astigmatism is found to cause anisotropy in the vortex filter.
► The effects of balanced aberrations in the VSF are analyzed.
► Simulation and experimental results are presented.