Incoherent optical spatial image processing

Abstract

In this paper we present a new configuration for real-time spatial image processor that is based upon an imaging setup in which a grating with Fourier coefficients with tunable phase is attached to the object plane. The illumination that is used for the proposed concept is spatially incoherent. By proper adjusting of the magnification of the imaging system to the spatial period of the grating and the sampling grid of the camera, the aliasing effect due to the digital sampling realizes a non uniform and tunable spectral distribution (a filter) that is applied over the spectrum of the object. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.