Wavelength-compensated time-sequential multiplexed color joint transform correlator

We report a wavelength-compensated three-channel (RGB) joint transform correlator (JTC) for color pattern recognition using a ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) operating in binary pure phase modulation. We apply a previously reported time-multiplexing technique useful in creating wavelength-compensated diffraction patterns, based on the synchronization of properly scaled diffraction masks with the input wavelength selection obtained by applying a rotating RGB color-filter wheel to an Ar–Kr laser. The application of this technique to a JTC architecture permits real-time color object detection. In order to achieve a high light efficiency for the correlation process, we combine the design of zero-order joint power spectra in all color channels with the selection of a certain polarization configuration of the SLM, producing a broadband phase-only modulation. Excellent experimental results demonstrating color-object detection are provided.