Cervical cytological (Pap) smear screening with coherent optics

Coherent optical signal processing techniques for automatic screening of exfoliated cervical cytological samples were evaluated. Work centered on deriving feature measurements from the Fourier transform patterns of individual cells. The two-dimensional Fourier spectra of a large number of high resolution cell photographs were generated in an optical spatial spectrum analyzer. A special geometry solid state detector array measured the light intensity in a number of regions of the cell diffraction pattern. The optical system achieves a large sample data base with automated data collection, processing, and storage capabilities. Stringent optical component stability is needed for reliable and repeatable performance.