Real-Time Image Processing Using Acousto-Optic Bragg Diffraction

Optical image processing systems using an acousto-optic cell have been studied previously. However, these previous studies have been limited to two diffracted order in the Bragg regime and two spatial dimensions. Some comparisons between experimental data and theoretical predictions have been made. This dissertation studies image processing by acousto-optic Bragg diffraction to perform image enhanment. Theoretical results involving two diffracted orders in three spatial dimensions is presented. Experimental data is presented that confirms the validity of the theoretical results. Detailed analysis of several optical image processing system using acousto-optic modulators is presented. Also, the methodology use to derive an analytically expression in three spatial dimension for the interaction of an arbitrary light profile and a rectangular sound column in an acousto-optic cell is presented. Lastly, the ability to change the characteristics of the derived transfer function that mathematically represents the interaction of light and sound inside the acousto-optic cell is discussed and future research topics is given.