2D linear space-variant processing by coherent optics: A sequence convolution approach

Abstract Linear space-variant (LSV) operations of n dimensions can be replaced by a convolution of 2n dimensions. This allows direct optical implementation of 1D LSV operations, while 2D LSV processing requires 4D convolution. In the case of “variation bandlimited” point spread functions this 4D convolution can be performed coherent-optically by means of sequence convolution. For this task an optical processor design is proposed and its processing capacity is calculated.