Optical processor architecture

Abstract

Apparatus for optically applying a transform to data, comprising: a spatially modulated light source, that generates a spatially modulated light beam; a diffractive element that replicates said light beam; and a lens that applies a Fourier transform to said replicated light beam.

1 . Apparatus for optically applying a transform to data, comprising: 
 a spatially modulated light source, that generates a spatially modulated light beam encoding said data by said modulation;    a diffractive element that replicates said light beam; and    a lens that applies a Fourier transform to said replicated light beam.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a detector that detects said transformed light.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising electronic circuitry that converts said detected signals into a discrete transform of said data.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said transform is a linear transform.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said transform is a DCT transform.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said replicating comprises replicating said beam to a two dimensional arrangement.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said diffractive element comprises a Dammann grating.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said diffractive element comprises a Ronchi grid.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spatially modulated light encodes said data as an array of blocks.