Optimization of multichannel parallel joint transform correlator for accelerated pattern recognition

The multibeam parallel joint transform correlator for optical pattern recog nition, which was recently proposed by the authors [Appl. Opt. 37, 5408 (19 98)], can increase parallelism without accumulating zero-order background l evel at the first Fourier transform plane. To evaluate the throughput capab ility, an experimental trial was made, achieving a 67-ms recognition rate p er face per channel, which is limited by the response of the optically addr essed liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. A general design theory is de veloped for dense packing of the optical channels for a given spatial light modulator resolution, considering the bandwidth requirement of the target image. throughput with state-of-the-art device technology is discussed. The n the condition for submillisecond (C) 2000 Optical Society of America. OCI S codes: 170.2580, 100.0100, 100.4550, 100.5010, 110.4190, 100.1160.