Optical Fourier processor with a liquid-crystal information-input device

Abstract

A working prototype of an optical system has been developed for processing signals and images, using a liquid-crystal array with electronic control to input the information. A number of information-processing setups have been investigated that are implemented on the basis of the developed prototype. These include an analyzer of the spatial spectra of the images and signals, a joint-transform correlator, a spectrum analyzer, and a correlator of long signals with a convoluted spectrum. There are 1024×768 elements in the input array, and the information-renewal frequency is 70 frames per second. The prototype thus developed is used as the basis for creating a laboratory project for physically modelling and studying the operation of optical information-processing systems.