High-speed joint-transform optical image correlator using GaAs/AlGaAs semi-insulating multiple quantum wells and diode lasers

Abstract

We demonstrate a compact real-time optical image correlator using diode lasers and a semi-insulating GaAs/AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well (SI-MQW) device as the holographic element. With only 3 mW of power incident upon the SI-MQW device, the correlation is obtained in 1 μs and can be erased in as fast as 2 μs, which presents the possibility of a system capable of 3 × 105 correlations/s. We also show that images can be stored for a controllable length of time (2–25 μs), which presents possibilities for the use of the SI-MQW device as a data or image buffer memory.