Space-variant two-dimensional processing using color-encoded one-dimensional processors

An optical system is designed to perform two-dimensional space-variant processing for the case of a separable point spread function. The design makes use of the wavelength dimension by color-encoding the input to provide the necessary third dimension required in performing the operation. An analysis of the system provides theoretical results which are compared with the results obtained in an experiment using real, positive functions for the input and point spread function. Finally, the inherent limitations of the system are discussed, noting both the advantages and disadvantages of the technique.