Abstract

In optical pattern recognition, two classes of techniques and other methods based on them are most frequently reported in the literature. One is the Vander Lugt based correlators, and the other is the joint Fourier transform based correlators. Both correlators are "passive," i.e., they have no signal amplification capability. However, when the input object light is weak, the output needs to be amplified in order to detect the presence of the object. The essence of this paper is to describe and experimentally demonstrate a new pattern recognition concept called self- amplified correlators (SAC). Because these new correlators are able to amplify the correlation signal inside itself, weak signals can be processed and no external electronic postprocessing amplification is needed. The pattern recognition system's weight and power requirement can therefore be reduced.

© 1990 Optical Society of America