Real-time coherent optical correlator for machine vision systems

Abstract

The problems of using optical coherent information processing techniques for the design of machine vision systems for updatable robotic complexes are studied. The construction of holographic correlators insensitive to distortions of the input image with respect to a reference one is analyzed, and a holographic on-line correlator is presented that performs image input, holographic matched filter synthesis, and real-time image processing. The choice of the optical processors' basic components-the pulsed solid state laser, the image input device based on photoconductor-liquid crystal structure, and the reversible recording medium FTIROS based on vanadium dioxide film is validated. The problems of holographic filter synthesis are also analyzed. The correlator prototype is described and the results of its experimental study for image input by means both of the optical system and the CRT are discussed.