Optical Signal Processing: Fundamentals

This book presents the background material necessary for an understanding of modern optical signal processing. Intended for graduate students in electrical engineering, physics, or optical engineering, the book covers fundamentals of geometrical and physical optics; propagation in anisotropic media; fiber optics; integrated optics; the electro-optic, acousto-optic and magneto-optic effects; noise and stochastic processes; matched, adaptive, Kalman, and lattice filters; two-dimensional signal processing; and the ambiguity and Wigner distribution functions. A discussion of non-optical signal processing devices, e.g. SAW, CCD, and digital, helps to provide an appreciation of the advantages of optical signal processing. The necessary mathematics is presented in the appendix.

The subject "optical signal processing" can and should include all aspects of optics and signal processing. However, that is too large a scope for a textbook that, like this one, is intended as an introduc- tion to the subject at a level suitable for first year graduate students of electrical engineering, physics, and optical engineering. There- fore, the subject matter has been restricted. The book begins with basic background material on optics, signal processing, matrix alge- bra, ultrasound and SAWs, and CCDs. One might argue about this choice of topics. For example, there already exist very good books on matrix algebra. However, matrix algebra is so important in sig- nal processing, especially in connection with devices such as optical matrix processors, that it was felt that a review was essential. Also, the matrix algebra needed for systolic arrays and parallel computing has made great advances in recent years. My original intention was to write a single-volume textbook cov- ering most of the fundamental concepts and applications of optical signal processing. However, it soon became apparent that the large amount of material to be included would make publication in a single volume impracticable. Therefore this volume treats the "fundamen- tals" and a second volume will appear dealing with devices and applications. This textbook was stimulated by a set of short courses that I have directed and lectured since 1976, as well as regular courses that I have taught at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute since 1974.