Optical waveguide image transmission system and method

摘要

An improved image transmission system which includes an elongate optical waveguide 15 having an input aperture 17 and an output aperture 19. Optical apparatus 11, 13 is provided for injecting a transform of an image into the waveguide. In a specific implementation, the Fourier transform of the image is injected at the input aperture 17. The output image is transformed as well to provide the desired image. When the Fourier components of the image are transmitted, each component propagates at a different velocity. However, the magnitude of the components are preserved and used to reconstruct the image at the output of the waveguide. This allows for the transmission of optical images without digitization with a single, inexpensive waveguide.