Water-pollution monitoring using matched spatial filters

Presented are some results obtained from the application of matched spatial filtering techniques to the identification of biological specimens called diatoms (i.e., water algae). A prototype semiautomatic optical processor has been developed that utilizes the Vander Lugt type complex spatial filters. We describe the optical filter averaging technique employed and discuss our semi in situ developing method for the filters. The advantage of this method with regards to the critical position requirements for time sharing optical filters is also presented. The filter holder is mounted on X, Y stages and precision positioned under the control of a PDP-11-40 computer.