Optical image processing using an optoelectronic feedback system with electronic distortion correction.

Spontaneous pattern formation in an optoelectronic system with an optical diffractive feedback loop exhibits a contrast enhancement effect, a spatial filtering effect, and filling-up of vacant space while maintaining surrounding structures. These effects allow image processing with defect tolerance. Aberrations and slight misalignments that inevitably exist in optical systems distort the spatial structures of the formed patterns. Distortion also increases due to a small aspect ratio difference between a display device and an image sensor. We experimentally demonstrate that the spatial distortion of the optoelectronic feedback system is reduced by electronic distortion correction and the initial structure of a seed optical pattern is preserved for a long time. We also demonstrate image processing of a fingerprint pattern based on seeded spontaneous optical pattern formation with electronic distortion correction.