Physics of image processing!

By Katie Buda!
When discussing the physics of image processing, it is important to understand the fundamental
characteristics of light. These are useful to be aware of before proceeding with the discussion
on how CCDs and Film are used to save an image. The first fundamental quality is that visabile
light is electromagnetic radiation. !
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Electromagnetic radiation has various classifications like AM/FM Radio Waves,

microwaves, visible light, x-rays and gamma rays. Aside from waves, light can also behave as a
particle, or a photon, in certain cases. A photon is the amount of energy that a light wave has at
a certain frequency. (Serway 1107). It is the duality of light that allows CCDs and film to
function as they do, as energy is transferred to materials through light, via photons. !
According to Einstein, the energy of a photon is solely related to its frequency, this equation
relates photons to the electrons they produce:!
E= h * f!
E is the energy of the produced electron, h is Planck's constant (6.63 * 10^-34 J*s), and f is the
frequency of the given light source. !
A roll of film that would normally be purchased in stores today has dozens of very thin
photochemical layers stacked on top of a lyer of a base material such as celluloid of polyester.
(The Photographic Process 1, How Photographic Film Works 4).!
An interesting part of film is what is between the layers contained in the emulsion Silver-halide
crystal grains, which are often made from bromide, chloride, and iodide lies between the layers
of film. The film would be so fragile that it would separate inside the camera because of
mechanical pressure if this element Silver-halide did not exist. An image is typically prepared
through a glass lense system. The colors appear in overlapping regions of red, green, and blue.
(Serway 1107)!

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Bibliography !
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Beichner, Robert J., and Raymond A. Serway. Physics For Scientists and Engineers. 5th ed.
N.p.: Thomson Leaning, Inc, 2002. !

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Below, John. CS 39J: Session 7. 7 Mar. 2002. 31 Mar. 2003 !
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CCD Image Sensor. 1 April 2003 !
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Dillon, Barnaby. Influences of Silver Halide Crystal Structure on Photographic Sensitivity. 2001.
31 Mar. 2003 !

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Gambhir. The Photographic Process: Silver Bromide Crystals. 1 April 2003 !
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Harris, Tom. How Cameras Work. How Stuff Works. 1 April 2003 !
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Light - Part VIII. 1 April 2003 !
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Spectral Configuration Guide. 31 March 2003 !
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Thompson, Tom. "Charge-coupled device." Computerworld 6 Aug. 2001: 49 !
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Visible Light Waves.2 April 2003 !
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Woodworth, Charles. How Photographic Film Works. How Stuff Works. 1 April 2003 !