Abstract

Data processing in coherent optical systems has been limited to a large extent by operations involving spectrum manipulations through the Fourier transform. By appropriate modification of the Green function kernel of the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral, it should be possible to obtain transform relationships between the input and output of a coherent processor, other than the Fourier transform. Cutrona has suggested a possible implementation for a Laplace transformer but has apparently not attempted a physical realization [ IRE Trans. Inf. Theory IT-6, 386 ( 1960)]. In this study, a Laplace transform computer is described in which it is found that spatial bandlimiting is a restriction on its usefulness. To compensate for this bandlimiting, a convergence filter is described along with a method to produce this and other spatial filters physically for optical processors.

© 1975 Optical Society of America

Apodization filtering applied to a bandlimited optical Fourier transformer

M. R. Mueller and F. P. Carlson
Appl. Opt. 15(3) 690-695 (1976)

Wide aperture optical correlator–spectrum analyzer: evaluation of a new design

R. E. Williams, K. von Bieren, and M. Morales
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Analysis of images by Hadamard optical transform

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Diffraction theory of optical scintillations due to turbulent layers

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Emulsion thickness and space variance: combined effects in Vander Lugt optical correlators

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