Enhanced edge detection based on spin hall effect in the uniaxial crystal

Optical analog computing and spatial differentiation have received great attention in many fields. In the field of biology and medicine, it is important to get the high contrast of phase images on a subwavelength scale. Compared with other methods, the optical methods based on the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) have the advantages of low costs and detailed detections, but this method also has the disadvantages of lower contrasts. Our work is aimed to improve the contrasts for the edges. In the study, we explore the spin Hall effect of light (SHEL) based on uniaxial crystals and investigate the effects of these crystals on spatial differentiation. It can be seen that in the elliptic-hyperbolic crystal, the PSHE can be enhanced significantly and the spatial differentiation contrasts are consistent with the enhancement of PSHE, which implies that this kind of medium would provide more possibilities in micro imaging.

Automated summary

Optical analog computing and spatial differentiation have attracted great attention in various fields. In the field of biology and medicine, obtaining high-contrast phase images on a subwavelength scale is crucial. This study explores the spin Hall effect of light (SHEL) based on uniaxial crystals and investigates their effects on spatial differentiation, aiming to improve contrast for edges. Results show that the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) can be significantly enhanced in elliptic-hyperbolic crystals, and the contrasts for spatial differentiation are consistent with the enhancement of PSHE, suggesting potential applications in micro imaging.