Development and properties of a photochromic adaptive filter made of o
rganic photochromic materials embedded into a thin polymeric film are
presented. Photochromic filters, whose spectral transmittance depends
on previous and immediate radiant exposure, are used as opto-optic spa
tial light modulators for image processing. Photosensitive compounds e
mbedded in a thin polymeric film are induced to change their absorptio
n, by exposure to visible and ultra-violet light. This change in absor
ption is used in an opto-electronic system, which unites a charge coup
led device camera with a photochromic filter, to enhance the quality o
f the detected image. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.