Three-dimensional object recognition by use of a photorefractive volume holographic processor

We present a photorefractive volume holographic processor for recognition of three-dimensional (3D) objects. The templates are recorded by use of a volume hologram in a photorefractive LiNbO(3):Fe crystal located at the Fresnel diffraction region and correlated in real time with a 3D object illuminated by coherent light. Experimental results for recognition of 3D objects are presented and discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a photorefractive volume holographic technique for 3D object recognition has been reported.