Patent ID: 6879427
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: G01B,G02B,G06E

Abstract:
1. Optical apparatus for obtaining a discrete transform of an input signal in an output plane, the system comprising: a light source that represents the signal positioned at an input surface and comprising a two dimensional rectangular array of N light emitting elements arranged in an m×n matrix, wherein N=m*n, and the m and n elements are aligned along X and Y-axes with pitches a and b respectively, and the matrix is tilted by an angle β so that a+cos β=n*b*sin β; a detector positioned at an output surface, the detector comprising an array of N spaced detectors, spaced with a second spacing, such that it samples light at the output surface; and an optical transformer that collects light from the light source and transforms it into a pattern at the output surface, said optical transformer being constructed such, such that the sampling of the output signal results in the discrete transform of the input signal, wherein said optical transformer includes a shearing generator that provides two images of the light source that are inverted forms of each other, interference between said images providing a continuous interference pattern that is sampled by said detector.