Performance enhancement of a joint transform correlator using the directionality of a spatial light modulator

We observe that conventional electrically addressable spatial light modulat ors have different transfer functions along the fast (horizontal) and the s low (vertical) directions. We then propose to use the directionality of a s patial light modulator to increase the performance of a joint transform cor relator. Our experimental results show that input space-bandwidth product o f a joint transform correlator can be significantly increased by recording a hologram so that interference fringes run along the fast (horizontal) dir ection of a spatial light modulator. (C) 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Inst rumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(99)00412-2].