Optical correlator based target detection, recognition, classification, and tracking.

A dedicated automatic target recognition and tracking optical correlator (OC) system using advanced processing technology has been developed. Rapidly cycling data-cubes with size, shape, and orientation are employed with software algorithms to isolate correlation peaks and enable tracking of targets in maritime environments with future track prediction. The method has been found superior to employing maximum average correlation height filters for which the correlation peak intensity drops off in proportion to the number of training images.

Wide-angle, nonmechanical beam steering with high throughput utilizing polarization gratings.

We introduce and demonstrate a ternary nonmechanical beam steering device based on polarization gratings (PGs). Our beam steering device employs multiple stages consisting of combinations of PGs and wave plates, which allows for a unique three-way (ternary) steering design. Ultrahigh efficiency (∼100%) and polarization sensitive diffraction of individual PGs allow wide steering angles (among three diffracted orders) with extremely high throughput.