Incoherent-Optical Correlation with a Hologram: An Example for the Identification of Fingerprints.

The efficiency of the incoherent-optical correlator is shown by a simple example of pattern recognition. for several reasons, the problem of identification of fingerprints is especially suitable for a processing by optical methods. In comparison to other methods which use coherent light, the correlation in this paper is carried out with incoherent light. The reference pattern of the known fingerprints is replaced by its hologram. In this way the resolution of the correlator is only limited by the aperture of the hologram and is the same as for coherent-ooptical devices. In this example no electronic circuit is needed to convert and process the optical signals. Decision is made by direct observation of the correlogram. The method yield high reliability.