Design considerations for miniature optical correlation systems that use pixelated input and filter transducers

Computer-controlled miniature optical correlators employing pixelated input and filter transducers can serve as either powerful plug-in modules for larger target-recognition systems, or as specialized, stand-alone portable correlators for specific image-processing and recognition applications. Attention is presently given to such design considerations for these devices as filter design, overall correlator length minimization, and the effect of aberrations on system performance. Two prototype miniature binary phase-only filter correlators employing magnetooptic spatial light modulators at the output and filter planes are presented.