Utilizing nonlinear optical pattern formation for a simple image-processing task

Abstract

A novel scheme for all-optical image processing is suggested, which is based on spontaneous pattern-formation processes. The spatiotemporal instabilities, connected with these self-organization effects, appear in many nonlinear optical systems and mostly obstruct the intended application. We propose to utilize the particular features of pattern formation for parallel image processing, namely the sensitivity to external influences, the selection of well-defined final states, and the rotational and translational invariance. We report here on a single-feedback experiment with a liquid crystal light valve as the optical nonlinearity. In this experiment, the recognition of hexagonal structures is realized. We characterize the response dynamics and study associative properties of this scheme. The extension to square patterns is discussed, and first steps towards a practical implementation are undertaken in providing a simple post-processing scheme and testing the concept on realistic input images.