Convergent optical correlator alignment based on frequency filtering

J.NICOLÁS; J.CAMPOS; CLAUDIO IEMMI; I.MORENO; M.YZUEL

APPLIED OPTICS

Optical Society of America

Año: 2002 vol. 41 p. 1505 - 1514

0003-6935

The convergent correlator is widely used but it presents the drawback of the alignment requirements: fine focusing of the input scene Fourier transform on the filter plane, filter centering, scaling the scene Fourier transform to match the filter size, and azimuth matching of the filter with the input scene. We propose a set of tests to obtain a precise alignment of the convergent correlator. These methods are based on frequency filtering properties and they are applicable either for amplitude input or for phaseencoded input. The tests we present allow us to fulfill all the alignment requirements. The theory on which these tests are based is explained. The experimental results obtained during the alignment procedure are presented. We show some additional verifications of the correct alignment of the convergent correlator.