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Contrast enhancement and depth perception in three‐dimensional representations of differential interference contrast and confocal scanning laser microscope images
Author(s) -
Schormann Thorsten,
Jovin Thomas M.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1992.tb01515.x
Subject(s) - differential interference contrast microscopy , contrast (vision) , artificial intelligence , computer vision , confocal , optics , computer science , grayscale , depth perception , grey level , microscopy , mathematics , perception , physics , image (mathematics) , neuroscience , biology
SUMMARY A commonly used three‐dimensional reconstruction method in confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) involves the generation of stereo views by stacking optical sections. Under certain conditions the resulting stereo pairs exhibit inferior quality with respect to contrast and depth perception. A method based on digital image processing is described in which the individual images are enhanced prior to reconstruction, thereby increasing the number of usable optical sections by a factor of up to five. Furthermore, we introduce a new contrast enhancement transformation based upon local statistics and a grey‐level probability density function that provides improved depth perception. Digital image processing methods map a discrete grey scale onto a continuous, unbounded interval. Inasmuch as a closed, discrete grey scale is required for computer display purposes, we present an appropriate mapping function derived from an entropy criterion.