Abstract

A new optical Fourier-domain filtering scheme that combines conventional optical, space-invariant linear filtering with a self-pumped, nonlinear optical phase-conjugation device is proposed. The new method is used for the real-time detection and channel evaluation of the multipath information needed in radar, sonar, and communication signal-processing applications. Compared to a conventional ceptral signal processing scheme, where large dynamic-range, nonlinear pre- and posttransforms are needed, the new method leads to a more compact and efficient optical implementation. By using a 445 mm BaTiO crystal as a self-pumped optical phase-conjugator, various synthetic target signals were tested. Detailed descriptions of the processing algorithm, its optical implementation, and preliminary experimental results will be presented.

© 1990 Optical Society of America