A numerical simulation of a cone detection system based on vortex beams

Abstract

Abstract By means of numerical simulations we provide proof of concept for a low cost cone locating system whose function is based on vortex beams. The system described here does not lose precision compared to commercial standards. We investigate the advantages of imaging individual cones using vortex phase masks of different topological charge. We provide numerical simulations of two different setups that are combined to take advantage of optical vortices for two purposes: (a) resolve pairs of cones within the photoreceptor mosaic, and (b) to pinpoint positions of unresolved cones, we study the stability of this configuration against basic wavefront aberrations. The combination of setups can perform detection and positioning tasks with no correction for aberrations required. We show a simulation of how the system would produce a map of retinal cones.