Creating Quadtree/Space Filling Curve Index atop GeoTiFF

I’m a complete beginner in GeoTiFF manipulation. I’d like to get some help in possible Java/Python/Scala project which performs spatial indexing (Quadtree, Space Filling Curves) atop given image(s). I intend to store these images in a database along with the spatial indexes calculated for subsequent retrieval. Would be glad if I could get a head start. I already became aware of GeoTools, Apache Commons Imaging like libraries. At the moment I’m trying to get familiar with the libraries. Would like community’s help in finding more libraries/ tools projects.