Optical Disk Modulator

Spatial light modulators are the limited component of optical signal processors. Electronic modulators, including liquid crystals and magento-optic modulators, are expensive, low resolution, and slow. The optical disk offers high resolution at moderate cost. The "pixel" size is on the order of one micron. The total system works to this accuracy by using an active feedback controlled system for alignment and focus. The optical disk spins, moving new areas under the read/write mechanism. In an optical processor, the movement of the disk and head would bring new images or filters into alignment quickly. AOS proposes to focus a Phase I program on the use of the disk as a modulator for a spatial filter. Several programs, including those at our company and many at the Army Missile Command, have realized that feeding large numbers of matched filters through an optical processor is the bottleneck. A unique aspect of our proposal is an intention to study both the magneto-optic disk, and the PhotoCD(tm). There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Anticipated Benefits: The government has numerous programs in optical processing which will benefit by this technology, including ARPA's TOPS. The R&D market is ready for such a device. We will have industrial support during Phase II to develop a commercial modulator. Our sights are even higher - such a modulator could make other commercial applications of optical processing practical.