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Using a Spatial Filter to Reduce Noise in Optical Diffraction

POSTER

Abstract

We analyze the locomotion of the nematode C. elegans, a microscopic worm the diameter of a human hair, using optical diffraction. These nematodes are commonly used as a simplified model for more complex organisms and aid in studying bodily systems such as neuronal pathways. For locomotion analysis, a laser is directed at the live worm, producing a dynamic diffraction pattern; this is useful because variations in light intensity at just one point in the diffraction pattern can reveal information about the entire time series, and the C. elegans’ overall movement. We modified and updated our optical setup by using a spatial filter and an assortment of lenses to prepare the beam so that a highly resolved diffraction pattern can be produced, using a human hair as a simulation of the worm. The spatial filter cleans the beam by shaping it into a consistent plane wave. It contains an objective lens, which diffracts the beam into a concentric pattern of rings around a central circle of light. Next, a pinhole allows only the desired central circle to pass through, improving the quality of the beam as it exits the spatial filter. As a result, the intensity distribution is uniform before it interacts with the diffracting object, allowing for the comparison to models of diffraction patterns.

Authors

  • Katie Canavan

    Vassar College

  • Kristin Rabosky

    Middle Tennessee State University, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Swarthmore College, CT Clinical Innovation Center, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Bard College, Wright State University, University of Michigan, University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Rice University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Utah, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Furman University, University of Notre Dame, Theoretical Physics Division, Institute of High Energy Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peng Huanwu Center for Fundamental Theory, University of Science and Technology China, University of Cambridge, University of Kansas, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Planetary Science Institute, Iowa State University, College of Idaho, University of Washington, Bothell, Ottawa Hills High School, Case Western Reserve University, Yale University and Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, Yale University, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, NOIRLab, Purdue University, Korea Instotute for Advanced Study, Perimeter Institute, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, Juniata College, Columbia University, City University of New York / American Museum of Natural History, Columbia University / American Museum of Natural History, Morehead State University, Hofstra University, Occidental College, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, The Oskar Klein Centre, Department of Astronomy, University of Mississippi, Stanford/KIPAC/SLAC, University of Connecticut, Kansas State University, Vassar College, Penn State, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Rhodes College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Harvard University, Cornell University, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433 & UES, Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Dayton, OH 45432, Department of Physics, University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio & Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Utah State University, Ramapo College of NJ, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Research Center of Topological Functional Materials and Henan Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials, Henan Univers., Brookhaven National Laboratory, Montclair State University, Weber State University

  • Kristin Rabosky

    Middle Tennessee State University, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Swarthmore College, CT Clinical Innovation Center, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Bard College, Wright State University, University of Michigan, University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Rice University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Utah, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Furman University, University of Notre Dame, Theoretical Physics Division, Institute of High Energy Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peng Huanwu Center for Fundamental Theory, University of Science and Technology China, University of Cambridge, University of Kansas, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Planetary Science Institute, Iowa State University, College of Idaho, University of Washington, Bothell, Ottawa Hills High School, Case Western Reserve University, Yale University and Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, Yale University, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, NOIRLab, Purdue University, Korea Instotute for Advanced Study, Perimeter Institute, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, Juniata College, Columbia University, City University of New York / American Museum of Natural History, Columbia University / American Museum of Natural History, Morehead State University, Hofstra University, Occidental College, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, The Oskar Klein Centre, Department of Astronomy, University of Mississippi, Stanford/KIPAC/SLAC, University of Connecticut, Kansas State University, Vassar College, Penn State, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Rhodes College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Harvard University, Cornell University, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433 & UES, Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Dayton, OH 45432, Department of Physics, University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio & Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Utah State University, Ramapo College of NJ, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Research Center of Topological Functional Materials and Henan Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials, Henan Univers., Brookhaven National Laboratory, Montclair State University, Weber State University

  • Kristin Rabosky

    Middle Tennessee State University, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Swarthmore College, CT Clinical Innovation Center, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Bard College, Wright State University, University of Michigan, University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Rice University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Utah, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Furman University, University of Notre Dame, Theoretical Physics Division, Institute of High Energy Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peng Huanwu Center for Fundamental Theory, University of Science and Technology China, University of Cambridge, University of Kansas, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Planetary Science Institute, Iowa State University, College of Idaho, University of Washington, Bothell, Ottawa Hills High School, Case Western Reserve University, Yale University and Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, Yale University, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, NOIRLab, Purdue University, Korea Instotute for Advanced Study, Perimeter Institute, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, Juniata College, Columbia University, City University of New York / American Museum of Natural History, Columbia University / American Museum of Natural History, Morehead State University, Hofstra University, Occidental College, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, The Oskar Klein Centre, Department of Astronomy, University of Mississippi, Stanford/KIPAC/SLAC, University of Connecticut, Kansas State University, Vassar College, Penn State, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Rhodes College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Harvard University, Cornell University, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433 & UES, Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Dayton, OH 45432, Department of Physics, University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio & Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Utah State University, Ramapo College of NJ, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Research Center of Topological Functional Materials and Henan Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials, Henan Univers., Brookhaven National Laboratory, Montclair State University, Weber State University