Real-Time Optical Correlator Based On GaAs

Apparatus performs correlation between input image and reference image in real time by means of degenerate four-wave mixing in photorefractive crystal, which serves as real-time holographic medium. Gallium arsenide chosen to be photorefractive material in this application because at frame rate and level of illumination used in experiments, offers adequate diffraction efficiency. Frame rates as high as 1,000 s to negative 1st power achievable.