Incoherent optical image processing with acousto-optic pupil-plane filtering

We describe an incoherent image processor that uses orthogonally oriented one-dimensional acousto-optic cells to implement dynamic, arbitrary bipolar point-spread functions (PSF’s). Arbitrary PSF’s are implemented as a linear superposition in time of separable PSF’s. The use of incoherent illumination increases the input field of view over that provided by coherent illumination, and implementation of the PSF by a pupil-plane filter yields a simple, compact single-lens imaging system. The acousto-optic cells offer a faster PSF update rate than that of conventional spatial light modulators, which is a critical issue for the implementation of a bipolar PSF as a subtraction between its positive and rectified negative parts. Initial experimental results are presented that demonstrate the realization of an arbitrary nonseparable PSF, image convolution with a bipolar PSF, two-dimensional image correlation, and an increased processor field of view.