Fourier Analysis Using Coherent Light

Simple lenses can be used to produce the Fourier transform of a spatial signal. Two optical experiments related to Fourier analysis are described. The first experiment measures the power spectrum of a spatial signal and displays the result directly on an oscilloscope. The second experiment measures both the convolution and the correlation of two spatial signals and again displays the result on an oscilloscope. The use of the experiments in undergraduate engineering laboratories at Oakland University is described.