Magneto-Optic Signal Processing

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Abstract
A modification of the well-known methods for optical processing recorded signals using coherent light and the Fourier-transform properties of lens systems is described, in which the signals are magnetically recorded in a conventional fashion on high-coercivity metallic magnetic films and in which the longitudinal Kerr effect is used to spatially modulate the light beam. The recorded signals act as a 180° phase object when using the Kerr magneto-optic effect which allows the polarizer and analyzer to be accurately crossed for extinction of the zero-order diffraction spot that would otherwise be troublesomely intense. The principal advantages offered by magnetic film signal recording compared with recording on photographic film are the elimination of developmental processing and the ability to erase and rerecord. High writing speed and relatively high recording density are possible. Experimental results indicate an achievable optical efficiency in the general range of 10−6, an integration time-bandwidth product approaching 106, and practical operating frequencies from the very lowest to the multimegahertz range.

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