One-dimensional linear coherent processing using a single optical element.

A coherent processor is presented which is capable of performing a large class of 1-D linear space-variant operations. The only components of the processor are a 1-D input, a mask whose transmittance is specified by the desired linear operation, and an output plane. Compared with other 1-D processors, this processor has advantages of real space compactness and total elimination of vignetting. Experimental results are presented for the specific operations of convolution and spectrum scaling.