We propose an arbitrary pattern lithography process using interference of Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC). A symmetric three pulse Raman atom interferometer (AI) is used to implement the system. The pattern information, in the form of a phase-only mask, is optically encoded into the BEC order parameter in one of the AI arms. The lithographic pattern is represented by a two-dimensional intensity variation, and is transformed into a two-dimensional phase variation in the BEC order parameter via the use of AC-stark shift induced by a pulsed laser field. The BEC probability distribution of the interference result at the end of the AI is proportional to the required pattern. In order to produce features smaller than the diffraction limit for the used optical elements, we employ a three-dimensional atomic lens system to scale down the resulting pattern. The operating conditions for this lens structure are investigated in order to identify practical constraints. Simulations of the overall system using the parameters of 87 Rb BEC were performed to illustrate its functionality. The proposed process, while perhaps not suitable for general purpose usage, may enable the creation of special purpose patterns on a very small scale, with features as small as few nanometers.
Optical target recognition using correlators is an important technique for fast verification and identification of images. The hybrid opto-electronic correlator (HOC) recently proposed by us bypasses the need for nonlinear materials such as photorefractive polymer films by using detectors instead, and the phase information is yet conserved by the interference of plane waves with the images. In this paper, we demonstrate experimentally the basic working principle of the HOC architecture using currently available technologies. For matched reference and query images, the output signal shows a sharp peak, indicating a match is found. For an unmatched case, a much lower peak value is observed, indicating no match. We also demonstrate the dependence of the output signal on the phases of the interfering plane waves and describe a technique using an interferometer and a servo for optimizing the output signal. As such, the work reported here paves the way for further development of the HOC for practical applications.
Phenantrenequinone doped poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PQ:PMMA) is a holographic substrate that can be used for angle or wavelength multiplexed Bragg gratings. However, efficient writings can be done only using a high-power, long-coherence volume laser over a limited wavelength range. This constraint makes it difficult to write gratings that would diffract several different read wavelengths into a single direction. We describe the rules for writing such gratings, taking into account the differences in the mean index seen by the write and read wavelengths. We further demonstrate the use of such a transmission hologram for wavelength-division multiplexing in a free-space optical communication system.
We describe an automatic event recognition (AER) system based on a three-dimensional spatio-temporal correlator (STC) that combines the techniques of holographic correlation and photon echo based temporal pattern recognition. The STC is shift invariant in space and time. It can be used to recognize rapidly an event (e.g., a short video clip) that may be present in a large video file, and determine the temporal location of the event. Using polar Mellin transform, it is possible to realize an STC that is also scale and rotation invariant spatially. Numerical simulation results of such a system are presented using quantum mechanical equations of evolution. For this simulation we have used the model of an idealized, decay-free two level system of atoms with an inhomogeneous broadening that is larger than the inverse of the temporal resolution of the data stream. We show how such a system can be realized by using a lambda-type three level system in atomic vapor, via adiabatic elimination of the intermediate state. We have also developed analytically a three dimensional transfer function of the system, and shown that it agrees closely with the results obtained via explicit simulation of the atomic response. The analytical transfer function can be used to determine the response of an STC very rapidly. In addition to the correlation signal, other nonlinear terms appear in the explicit numerical model. These terms are also verified by the analytical model. We describe how the AER can be operated in a manner such that the correlation signal remains unaffected by the additional nonlinear terms. We also show how such a practical STC can be realized using a combination of a porous-glass based Rb vapor cell, a holographic video disc, and a lithium niobate crystal.
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