The CCL Fourier Transform Engine©
At the heart of the CCL Optical Correlator is the unique Fourier Transform Engine© - a compact, yet hugely powerful processing system, built on the diffraction principles of the Optical Fourier Transform (OFT). Its revolutionary “W” design allows the electro-optical components to operate at their full potential, minimising the distance the electrical data has to travel and thus optimising the process time.
A high-resolution liquid crystal microdisplay, known as a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM), similar to those found in rear projection TVs, is mounted at the front focal plane of a Fourier Transform lens system. At the rear focal plane of the lens is mounted a CMOS sensor.
Images displayed on the SLM are illuminated with a collimated low power laser beam, launched through an optical fibre. The light is modulated by the images displayed on the SLM and then projected through the lens system.
The lens system produces the Optical Fourier Transform at the rear focal plane of the lens and the intensity distribution is captured by a 10-bit CMOS sensor.
Future developments based on the design will include a fully integrated SLM and CMOS device with direct pixel drive to achieve Fourier Transform rates in excess of 3000 per second at >>megapixel resolution.