Abstract: Apparatus for opening and holding a frame of the type that is flexible between open and closed positions and that forms an opening. The apparatus comprises a mounting member defining a seating surface adapted to seat against the frame; and an expansion member connected to the mounting member, and adapted to extend into the opening of the frame to force the frame into the open position, and to hold the frame in the open position when the frame is seated on the mounting member. In operation, the frame is placed on the mounting member, the expansion member is forced through the opening in the frame to spread the frame from its closed position to its open position, and an optical plate is placed in or removed from the frame. Once this is done, the expansion member is withdrawn from the opening in the frame to return the frame to its closed position, and the frame is removed from the mounting member.

Abstract: A one piece frame for holding a holographic element in a holographic system, and comprising a border portion, a seating portion, and a plurality of lateral positioning tabs. The border portion forms an outside border of the frame, and is flexible between an open position for receiving the holographic element and a closed position for holding the holographic element in the frame. The seating portion is connected to and extends inward from the border portion to seat against a back surface of the holographic element. The lateral positioning tabs are connected to and extend inward from the border portion, above the seating portion, and are spaced apart from each other along the border portion to hold the holographic element therein spaced from said border portion.

Abstract: Prior art optical correlator systems can perform only translation or rotation. Moreover, images obtained from these prior art systems are blurred due to movements of the target. In the present optical correlator system, to compare symbols on a particular frame of a film with predefined symbols stored in a memory, a novel driving mechanism which can both translate and rotate the film is used. The driving mechanism includes a translation device which has a plurality of gears and rollers mounted in a platform within a housing which may be filled with a fluid having an index of refraction corresponding to that of the film. Motors are coupled to the housing for translating and rotating the driving mechanism so that selected symbols on the film may be compared both linearly and rotatively with predefined symbols. The driving mechanism may further be used as an image motion compensator for eliminating blurring caused by target movements.

Abstract: An optical correlator memory processing system. By operating the system within preselected maximum and minium wavelengths, by preselecting certain parameters of the system, and by operating the system within certain additional constraints, the system can be used to always cause interference between the Fourier transform of a spatially modulated signal beam and a reference beam at a recording medium at a multitude of wavelengths. This allows a matched filter to be fabricated and played back at these multitudes of wavelengths without changing the sensitivity of the system. The system may be used to fabricate matched filters, and as a correlation system to detect the presence or absence of a particular target in a selected view or scene.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically fabricating multi-hologram optical elements. Signal and reference beams are formed and directed along separate paths that intersect at a recording medium; and a gate is moved through a first sequence to expose a plurality of views, one at a time, to the signal beam to spatially modulate that beam. A matrix of beams, each of which converges toward a different area of the recording medium, is generated from the spatially modulated signal beam, and a mask is moved through a second sequence to pass the matrix beams onto the recording medium to record a plurality of diffraction patterns thereon.

Abstract: A process for producing a holographic optical element which operates at a multiplicity of wavelengths and which has no chromatic aberration is disclosed. The achromatic holographic elements are fabricated using substantially conventional apparatus employing a technique based on the phenomenon that any two playback wavelengths will be diffracted to the same angle if their construction angles are related to each other as the inverse of the ratio of their sines. In addition, in the case of holographic lenses, if the focal points during construction are related to each other as the inverse of the ratio of the sines of their construction angles, the diffracted wavelengths will be brought to a common focal point.

Abstract: Apparatus for deflecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation controllably such that the beam can be used for scanning and other purposes. In this invention, the output beam of the apparatus is deflected by a dispersion element such as a diffraction grating, the angular deviation induced by the grating being a function of the wavelength of the radiation. Variations in the deflections induced by the deviation element to thereby cause a controlled angular movement of the output beam are produced by varying the wavelength of the radiation. These variations in the wavelength of the radiation are produced in several embodiments by a multiplicity of radiation sources, each having an energy output of a discrete wavelength, and in further embodiments by means such as a parametric converter which vary the wavelength of the source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming optical circuit channels and components in a transducer for connecting optical elements coupled to the transducer including the steps of and associated apparatus for, generating a light beam, directing the light beam toward the transducer, controlling the transmission of the light beam to expose a predetermined portion of the transducer to the light beam in accordance with a predetermined pattern, optically coupling certain optical elements of the transducer in accordance with the predetermined circuit pattern formed in the transducer by the light beam, and erasing the optical pattern formed in the transducer.