Magneto-optical signal processor

Claim 2

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with the magnetization of the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing spatial variations in accordance with the spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the spatial variations in the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the spatial variations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the spatial variations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of said optical Fourier transform of the spatial variations of the output light.

Claim 3

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 1 wherein the second means produces non-coherent light energy.

Claim 4

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 1 wherein the second means produces coherent light energy.

Claim 5

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis when the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing substantially linear changes in magnetization of the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization to provide a continuous spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with such substantially linear changes in magnetization, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to produce output light from the thin film, fourth means coupled to the thin film to obtain the production of continuous spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the continuous spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the continuous spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial intensity modulations of the output light, and fifth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial intensity modulations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of the Fourier transform.

Claim 6

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis when the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing substantially linear changes in magnetization of the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization to provide a continuous spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with such substantially linear changes in magnetization, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to produce output light from the thin film, fourth means coupled to the thin film to obtain the production of continuous spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the continuous spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the continuous spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial intensity modulations of the output light, and fifth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial intensity modulations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of the Fourier transform.

Claim 7

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 4 wherein the fourth means is accomplished by the transverse recording of the spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film.

Claim 8

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 4 wherein the fourth means is accomplished by an analyzer element placed in the path of the output light from the thin film.

Claim 9

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing substantially linear changes in magnetization of the thin film along the hard axIs of magnetization to provide a continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with such substantially linear changes in magnetization, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing continuously variable spatial modulations in accordance with the continuously variable spatial modulations in accordance with the continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform.

Claim 10

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing substantially linear changes in magnetization of the thin film along the hard axIs of magnetization to provide a continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with such substantially linear changes in magnetization, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing continuously variable spatial modulations in accordance with the continuously variable spatial modulations in accordance with the continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform.

Claim 11

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 7 wherein the optical processing means for providing the optical Fourier transform includes an optical lens.

Claim 12

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 7 wherein the first means includes recorded magnetic tape which is moved relative to the thin film to induce the continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film.

Claim 13

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of the thin film, second means for producing coherent light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the coherent light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of coherent light from the light energy and for directing the beam of coherent light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing continuous spatial variations in accordance with the spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to continuous spatial variations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier tranform of the continuous spatial variations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial variations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform.

Claim 14

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of the thin film, second means for producing coherent light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the coherent light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of coherent light from the light energy and for directing the beam of coherent light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing continuous spatial variations in accordance with the spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to continuous spatial variations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier tranform of the continuous spatial variations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial variations of the output light for providing at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform.

Claim 15

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 10 wherein the optical processing means for providing the optical Fourier transform produces a frequency spectrum.

Claim 16

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 11 wherein the fourth means includes means in the path of the optical Fourier transform of the continuous spatial variations of the output light to selectively intersect a portion of the frequency spectrum to eliminate any d-c error terms.

Claim 17

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for recording a linearly varying spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of the thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing a Linearly variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with the linearly varying spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis, optical processing means responsive to the linearly variable spatial pattern of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the linearly variable spatial pattern of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the linearly variable spatial pattern of the output light for providing at least a portion of the image of the optical Fourier transform of the output light.

Claim 18

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for recording a linearly varying spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of the thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing a Linearly variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film in accordance with the linearly varying spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis, optical processing means responsive to the linearly variable spatial pattern of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the linearly variable spatial pattern of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the linearly variable spatial pattern of the output light for providing at least a portion of the image of the optical Fourier transform of the output light.

Claim 19

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 13 wherein the first means includes recorded magnetic tape located adjacent to the thin film to induce the linearly variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of the thin film.

Claim 20

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis when the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for recording a continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film and for obtaining from the thin film output light containing continuously variable spatial modulations in accordance with the continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light to provide at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform of the output light.

Claim 21

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis when the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for recording a continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film and for obtaining from the thin film output light containing continuously variable spatial modulations in accordance with the continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the continuously variable spatial modulations of the output light to provide at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform of the output light.

Claim 22

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 15 wherein the first means includes recorded magnetic tape located adjacent to the thin film to induce the continuously variable spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of magnetization of the thin film.

Claim 23

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a transversely polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of the thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing spatial intensity modulations in accordance with the transversely polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, and optical processing means responsive to the spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light to provide at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform of thE output light.

Claim 24

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a transversely polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of the thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing spatial intensity modulations in accordance with the transversely polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, and optical processing means responsive to the spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light to provide at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform of thE output light.

Claim 25

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 17 wherein the optical processing means includes an optical lens to produce the Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light.

Claim 26

A magneto-optical correlator, including, a first thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the first thin film of magnetic material for producing a continuously variable first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film along the hard axis, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a collimated beam of light from the light energy and for directing the collimated beam of light toward the first thin film to produce output light from the first thin film, fourth means coupled to the first thin film to obtain the production of continuously variable spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the continuously variable first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film along the hard axis, a second thin film of magnetic material having easy and hard axes of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, fifth means coupled to the second thin film for producing a continuously variable second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film, the second thin film being responsive to the continuously variable spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the fourth means to correlate the spatial amplitude modulations in the output light from the fourth means with the second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film to produce output light from the second thin film in accordance with such correlations, and sixth means coupled to the second thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light from the second thin film in accordance with the correlation of the first and second spatial patterns of information.

Claim 27

A magneto-optical correlator, including, a first thin film of magnetic material having a hard axis of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the first thin film of magnetic material for producing a continuously variable first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film along the hard axis, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a collimated beam of light from the light energy and for directing the collimated beam of light toward the first thin film to produce output light from the first thin film, fourth means coupled to the first thin film to obtain the production of continuously variable spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the continuously variable first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film along the hard axis, a second thin film of magnetic material having easy and hard axes of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, fifth means coupled to the second thin film for producing a continuously variable second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film, the second thin film being responsive to the continuously variable spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the fourth means to correlate the spatial amplitude modulations in the output light from the fourth means with the second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film to produce output light from the second thin film in accordance with such correlations, and sixth means coupled to the second thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light from the second thin film in accordance with the correlation of the first and second spatial patterns of information.

Claim 28

The magneto-optical correlator of claim 19 wherein the second means for producing light energy produces coherent light energy.

Claim 29

A magneto-optical correlator, including, a first thin film of magnetic material, first means coupled to the first thin film of magnetic material for producing a first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a collimated beam of light from the light energy and with the collimated beam of light directed toward the first thin film to produce output light from the first thin film, fourth means coupled to the first thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, a second thin film of magnetic material, fifth means coupled to the second thin film for producing a second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film and with the second thin film responsive to the output light from the first thin film to correlate spatial amplitude modulations in the output light with the second spatial pattern of magnetic information of the second thin film to produce output light from the second thin film, and sixth means coupled to the second thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light from the second thin film in accordance with the correlation of the first and second spatial patterns of information, means intermediate the first and second thin films and in the path of the output light from the first thin film to transform the output light from the first thin film to Produce a frequency spectrum.

Claim 30

A magneto-optical correlator, including, a first thin film of magnetic material, first means coupled to the first thin film of magnetic material for producing a first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a collimated beam of light from the light energy and with the collimated beam of light directed toward the first thin film to produce output light from the first thin film, fourth means coupled to the first thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, a second thin film of magnetic material, fifth means coupled to the second thin film for producing a second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film and with the second thin film responsive to the output light from the first thin film to correlate spatial amplitude modulations in the output light with the second spatial pattern of magnetic information of the second thin film to produce output light from the second thin film, and sixth means coupled to the second thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light from the second thin film in accordance with the correlation of the first and second spatial patterns of information, means intermediate the first and second thin films and in the path of the output light from the first thin film to transform the output light from the first thin film to Produce a frequency spectrum.

Claim 31

A magneto-optical correlator, including, a first thin film of magnetic material, first means coupled to the first thin film of magnetic material for producing a first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a collimated beam of light from the light energy and with the collimated beam of light directed toward the first thin film to produce output light from the first thin film, fourth means coupled to the first thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, a second thin film of magnetic material, fifth means coupled to the second thin film for producing a second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film and with the second thin film responsive to the output light from the first thin film to correlate spatial amplitude modulations in the output light with the second spatial pattern of magnetic information of the second thin film to produce output light from the second thin film, and sixth means coupled to the second thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light from the second thin film in accordance with the correlation of the first and second spatial patterns of information, means intermediate the first and second thin films and in the path of the output light from the first thin film to transform the output light from the first thin film to produce a frequency spectrum, including means in the path of the frequency spectrum to intercept a portion of the frequency spectrum.

Claim 32

A magneto-optical correlator, including, a first thin film of magnetic material, first means coupled to the first thin film of magnetic material for producing a first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, second means for producing light energy, third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a collimated beam of light from the light energy and with the collimated beam of light directed toward the first thin film to produce output light from the first thin film, fourth means coupled to the first thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light in accordance with the first spatial pattern of magnetic information on the first thin film, a second thin film of magnetic material, fifth means coupled to the second thin film for producing a second spatial pattern of magnetic information on the second thin film and with the second thin film responsive to the output light from the first thin film to correlate spatial amplitude modulations in the output light with the second spatial pattern of magnetic information of the second thin film to produce output light from the second thin film, and sixth means coupled to the second thin film to produce spatial intensity modulations in the output light from the second thin film in accordance with the correlation of the first and second spatial patterns of information, means intermediate the first and second thin films and in the path of the output light from the first thin film to transform the output light from the first thin film to produce a frequency spectrum, including means in the path of the frequency spectrum to intercept a portion of the frequency spectrum.

Claim 33

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having easy and hard axes of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a longitudinally polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of the thin film, second means for producing light energy. third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing spatial intensity modulations in accordance with the longitudinally polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light to provide at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform of the output light.

Claim 34

A magneto-optical signal processor, including, a thin film of magnetic material having easy and hard axes of magnetization and disposed to provide magnetization along the hard axis where the hard axis provides linear magnetization, first means coupled to the thin film of magnetic material for producing a longitudinally polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film along the hard axis of the thin film, second means for producing light energy. third means coupled to the second means for receiving the light energy from the second means and for producing a beam of light from the light energy and for directing the beam of light toward the thin film to obtain from the thin film output light containing spatial intensity modulations in accordance with the longitudinally polarized spatial pattern of magnetic information on the thin film, optical processing means responsive to the spatial intensity modulations of the output light from the thin film of magnetic material for providing an optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light, and fourth means responsive to the optical Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light to provide at least a portion of an image of the optical Fourier transform of the output light.

Claim 35

The magneto-optical signal processor of claim 23 wherein the optical processing means includes an optical lens to produce the Fourier transform of the spatial intensity modulations of the output light.

Claim 36

In the magneto-optical correlator set forth in claim 19, optical processing means responsive to the spatial modulations of the output light from the fourth means for providing an optical Fourier transform of such spatial intensity modulations before such spatial intensity modulations are directed to the second thin film.

Claim 37

In the magneto-optical correlator set forth in claim 21, optical processing means responsive to the spatial intensity modulations from the fourth means for providing an optical Fourier transform of such spatial modulations before such spatial intensity modulations are directed to the second thin film.

Claim 38

In the magneto-optical correlator set forth in claim 22, optical processing means responsive to the spatial intensity modulations from the fourth means for providing an optical Fourier transform of such spatial modulations before such spatial modulations are directed to the second thin film.