Image processing with the radial Hilbert transform: theory and experiments

The Hilbert transform is useful for image processing because it can select which edges of an input image are enhanced and to what degree the edge enhancement occurs. However, the transform operation is one dimensional and is not applicable for arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional objects. We introduce a radially symmetric Hilbert transform that permits two-dimensional edge enhancement. We implement one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and radial Hilbert transforms with a programmable phase-only Liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. Experimental results are presented. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 120.2440, 100.0100, 230.3720, 070.0070, 200.3050, 230.6120.