Abstract

Binary phase-only filters encoded by a simulated annealing algorithm are able to distinguish between similar patterns that cannot be distinguished by optical matched filters or by binary phase-only filters that are encoded by conventional methods. Binary phase-only filters encoded by the simulated annealing algorithm and by conventional methods were fabricated by means of electron-beam lithography and chemical etching. Optical pattern-recognition experiments were then performed. The filter encoded by the simulated annealing algorithm clearly distinguished between the similar patterns, but the filter encoded by conventional methods did not.

© 1990 Optical Society of America