Segmentation of holographic images using the level set method

Image segmentation, which is to distinguish objects from background, has played an important role in holographic image processing. In this work, we propose a technique that uses the combination of rough segmentation and the level set methods for segmentation of holographic images with zero-order diffraction interference. To improve the image quality, we eliminate the interference of zero-order diffraction in digital holography using Sobel differential gradient algorithm based on digital image processing. After reconstruction, the rough segmentation including intensity transformations and Morphology methods is applied to acquire the rough contour of the reconstruction image. Finally, we adopt level set methods to smooth the object contour and improve its accuracy. Segmentation results for objects in holographic images are presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.