System Design Considerations In Optical Power Spectrum Analysis

Although the optical power spectrum (OPS) is widely used in pattern recognition and image assessment application, relatively little literature exists on the practical design considerations for OPS systems. This paper addresses some of these relevant issues. We illustrate the three standard configurations for OPS systems but limit our detailed attention to only one. We establish a limit on the space bandwidth product for neglecting the curvature of the transform surface, devise formulae for the laser power requirements, and consider the effects of film substrate thickness and scan center stability on system performance. We conclude with brief remarks on the effects of spectral and temporal coherence.