Analysis of a joint transform correlator using a phase-only spatial light modulator

A theoretical analysis of a joint transform correlator that uses a phase-only spatial light modulator to input joint transform plane intensity data into the second Fourier transform system is presented. It is shown that this correlator produces signals that differ from, but are related to, the mathematical correlation between the test and reference input images. An undesirable characteristic of the correlator is that the form of the output signals depends on both the intensity-to-phase transfer characteristic of the phase modulator and the intensities of the input images. However, apodization of the joint transform intensity distribution by the reciprocal of the intensity distribution of the reference image Fourier transform can overcome this problem, and results in a correlator with narrow matching output peaks and high discrimination, in which the autocorrelation peak can be eliminated. Theoretical results are demonstrated by computer simulation.