Real-time image processing using polarization discrimination of bacteriorhodopsin

The application of biological photochrome bacteriorhodopsin (bR) films for real-time image processing is described; bR exhibits strong polarization-sensitive phase conjugation. We demonstrate exclusive OR operation with polarization properties of the phase conjugate (PC) beam in degenerated four-wave mixing (DFWM). Also, real-time image substraction and addition can be performed by transmitting two mutually orthogonal polarized phase conjugate beams through an analyzer.