Experiments on nonlinear optical correlation

The authors present experiments on nonlinear joint transform optical correlation. This processor is joint power spectrum based and does not use any filters. In this technique both the input signal and the processing function are displayed side by side at the input plane of the processor. The Fourier transform interference intensity is thresholded to provide higher correlation peak intensity and better-defined correlation spot. Various types of correlation signals can be produced simply by varying the severity of the nonlinearity and without the need to synthesize the specific matched filter. Nonlinear correlation experimental results using both optically addressed SLM (spatial light modulator) and electrically addressed SLM are provided