Simultaneous use of amplitude and phase to improve the validation process in a joint transform correlator

We present an alternative technique to enhance the discrimination performance in a JTC architecture, employed as a validation procedure. We define as complex objects those amplitude objects bonded to random phase masks. When using complex objects as reference inputs in a JTC optical validation system, correlation peak intensity and correlation peak shape become simultaneous key parameters to increase the discrimination ability of the system. Simulation results, comparing amplitude-only objects versus complex objects as inputs to the system, reveal the validity of our approach and show the sensitivity of the JTC architecture to the additional phase structures.