COMPACT PLANAR OPTICAL CORRELATOR

A compact planar configuration for performing optical correlation is d escribed. It comprises two pairs of identical holographic lenses and a holographic filter. Each pair of lenses is recorded on a single subst rate; together the lenses perform exact Fourier transformation. The li ght between the lenses propagates inside the substrate by total intern al reflection. The design and recording considerations for each of the elements along with experimental results for the overall planar corre lator are presented. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.