Abstract: A real-time programmable joint transform optical correlator incorporating a magneto-optic spatial light modulator and a liquid crystal light valve therein. Object functions to be correlated are input into the magneto-optic spatial light modulator by a programmable microcomputer as input signals. Real time correlation takes place at the liquid crystal light valve with a coherent read out beam. Cross correlation between the input functions (signals) are obtained through the inverse Fourier transform of the read out coherent illumination and are subsequently output from the correlator.

Abstract: A process/system of generating density pseudocolor encoding with three primary colors using a white-light optical processor. Spatial encodings are made with positive, negative and product positive and negative photographic image transparencies and the pseudocoloring is obtained by color filtering of the smeared Fourier spectra. The technique is extremely versatile and economical to operate such that it offers a wide range of applications. Since coherent sources are not utilized, the color coded images are free from coherent artifact noise. Consequently, the system incorporating the method of the present invention can be computer controlled and is extremely effective in perceiving optical images as well as being extremely economical and reliable.