Optimization in mapping of correlation filters in a liquid crystal displaybased frequency plane correlator

An optimization procedure for the optical implementation of correlation fil ters (CFs) in an optical-hybrid frequency plane correlator is presented. Ou r approach is based on mapping of the given calculated CF values to the val ues constrained by the available spatial light modulator (SLM) device to ac hieve the maximum intensity of the output correlation peak. The optimizatio n is provided for the implementation of the CFs using a Sanyo liquid crysta l display (SLCD). The commercially available SLCDs are characterized by the phase modulation curves that are (1) nonlinear, (2) of a smaller total pha se change interval than desired (0,2 pi) interval, and (3) significantly di sturbed by the coupled amplitude variations. For such a case, the optimizat ion achieved by varying a phase shift parameter is explained theoretically, demonstrated numerically, and confirmed experimentally. (C) 1999 Society o f Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(99)01106-X].