title: Bessel function output from an optical correlator with a phase-only encoded inverse filter.
abstract: We report on a technique for producing a Bessel function correlation output for an arbitrary input pattern. The central dark spot at the center of the Bessel function correlator output is narrower than the width of the normal correlation spot and can be extremely useful for locating the center of the correlation signal. The Bessel function is produced by convolution of the extremely sharp correlation produced by an inverse filter with the Bessel function and is encoded with a single phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. To encode amplitude information on the filter, we spatially modulate the phase encoded on the filter. Amplitude modulation is obtained by modulation of the diffraction efficiency of the phase grating. Experimental results are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA. jdavis@sciences.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yzuel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moreno