Optimum target detection using a spatial-domain bipolar composite filter with a joint transform correlator

Synthesis of a spatial-domain bipolar composite filter (SBCF) using simulated annealing algorithm is presented. Since a SBCF is a spatial-domain filter, it is very suitable for implementation in a joint transform correlator. To alleviate the stringent control requirement of a phase-modulated spatial light modulator, a position-encoding technique is used to generate the SBCF as well as the input objects. Experimental demonstrations are also provided, in which it is shown that the SBCF has a higher discrimination capability of extracting the target objects against the antitarget objects.