Write with light optical notching filter

摘要

An optical notching filter is disclosed in which an optical spatial filter therein is formed by a spatial light modulator which is written into by light. The optical notching filter system of the present invention provides a linear phase and amplitude response with applications for high speed adaptive filtering to filter out noise and signals of no interest. In one particular disclosed embodiment, the write with light optical notching filter system of the present invention is designed to adaptively excise interference from Radio Frequency (RF) signals, such as are utilized in communications or radar systems. The technical approach of the present invention provides a more compact system design than similar electronically addressed optical notching filtering systems, and also significantly reduces the complexity and attendant power requirements of the system. Different embodiments of a write with light optical notching filter system can operate with either nonochromatic or polychromatic light sources. Moreover, the write light source can be independent of the read light source, such that any suitable write or read light source can be utilized therein, either with single pass or recursive optical arrangements.