Compact planar-integrated optical correlator for spatially incoherent signals

A new, to our knowledge, approach for the planar integration of optical cor relators is demonstrated. A VanderLugt-type architecture was used to allow the processing of the spatially incoherent signals of active optoelectronic smart-pixel-device arrays. In a folded optical system all passive componen ts were implemented as a single multiple-phase-level element. The relations among the spatial resolution, the light efficiency, and the system design parameters are derived. High signal quality and low noise levels were achie ved experimentally. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.