Air Force Research In Optical Processing

Advanced Air Force weapons systems require the real-time processing of data obtained from a multitude of sensors at data rates which exceed current capabilities. In addition, the advent of advanced sophisticated radars and other new information sensing devices for use by the tactical forces has created a requirement for an economical method of communicating large volumes of data in a rapid secure manner. These requirements necessitate the development of parallel processing techniques such as optical processing. Therefore, the Air Force is actively pursuing scientific research and exploratory development into both optical image and optical signal processing. This paper will describe the ongoing Air Force programs in these areas with special emphasis on spatial light modulators, holographic optical elements, non-linear optical processing, and optical correlators.