COMPUTER GENERATED CORRELATION HOLOGRAMS
David Abookasis and Joseph Rosen
Ben-Gunon University of the Negev
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
P. 0. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
ABSTRACT
A new method of synthesizing computer gnerated
holograms has been developed and experimentally tested.
The method has been implemented by an iterative
optimization algorithm on a joint transform correlator.
The proposed hologram is a combination of two
separated sub-holograms, and its reconstructed image is
obtained as a result of a spatial correlation between the
hologram's two parts. The double-holograms are
displayed on the correlator input plane illuminated by a
plane wave. Consequently, a desired image is constructed
on part of the correlator output plane. The above method
has been extended for deciphering watermarks, and other
hidden information, from printed images. A spatial
correlation between two conealograms; one containing
the watermark and the other containing the deciphering
key, w e a l s the concealed watermark from the printed
picture, only when the two specific holograms are
matched. Both simulation and experimental results are
presented.
1. INTRODUCTION
Techniques of information security have received
increasing attention recently since they protect data from
unauthorized distribution. Various methods of hiding
inforyation [I-31 have been developed by different
research groups. In this study we propose a new approach
for data encryption using cross-coyelation between two
computer-generated hologram's (CGH's). Therefore we
coin this new technique as digital correlation hologram
(DCH). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
report to present an experimental spatial correlation
between two computer-generated holograms which yields
a meaningful output image. The idea of correlation
between two holograms yielding a meaningful image has
already appears in different versions [4-61. However, in
all these references, the optical correlators have been
0-7803-8427-~20.0W'2004 IEEE
simulated by digital computers. Here, for the first time,
we report on a real optical experiment implementing this
idea. The second new element in the present work is the
use of computer generated holograms displayed on real
positive masks instead of pure phase. masks suggested in
Refs. [4-61.
There are at least two main methods to perform spatial
correlation between any two arbitrary masks. One is
known as VanderLugt correlator (VLC) [7] and the other
is the joint transform correlator (JTC) [SI. In principle,
both configurations can be used as a platform to carry out
the DCH. However, because of the less restrictive
alignment requirements between the two sub-holograms
in the JTC in comparison with the VLC, we choose the
JTC (or actually some modified version which will be
described in the following) as the correlator for our first
demonstration of the DCH. Contrary to VLC, in the JTC a
lateral distance between the two sub-holograms can be
changed within a reasonable tolerance, without changing
the shape of the output image. Only the image location on
the output plane is changed according to the relative
distance between the two holographic masks. Two
complex functions are coded into the DCH. One of these
functions is chosen once as a random phase function
while the other is computed by an iterative algorithm
called JTC-based projection onto-constraint sets (POCS)
[9]. A complete description of the computation process
of these phase functions is given in Ref. [5].
Finally, instead of using phase-only functions as the
system input we use the CONCEALOGRAM method
[IO]. This means that both functions are now figurative
meaningful pictures instead of arbitrary dots. Using these
figurative functions is an optional feature that opens new
possible applications for the system.
2. CODING AND CONSTRUCTION DESCRIPTION
The POCS algorithm is implemented here by a digital
procedure based on simulating a JTC, in which two phase
functions are transformed back and forth between the
258
input and output planes. Appropriate constraints are
employed on both planes until the algorithm converges,
in the sense that the error between the desired and the
obtained image is minimal. The constraints on the JTC
input plane are expressed by the need to get two
separated, size-limited, phase functions, one is randomly
determined once before the first iteration and the other is
updated every iteration. The constraint on the JTC output
plane reflects the goal to get on part of the plane an
intensity pattern close as much as possible to some
predefined image. After completing the iterative
procedure, the computer has in its memory two complex
functions designed for the specific task of constructing a
desired image from the cross-correlation between these
two functions. The present experimental demonstration is
divided into three stages: I . Computation of two complex
functions by the JTC-based POCS [SI briefly summarized
above. 2. Coding the complex functions as a DCH or as a
two visually meaningful concealograms placed side by
side on the JTC input plane. 3. Construction of the
desired image from the DCH in a modified JTC
configuration.
We now continue the description from the point that
the POCS algorithm has yielded two phase functions s. r .
These two functions are coded into positive. real
transparencies as CGHs and displayed on the input plane
ofthe JTC. The two holograms are illuminated by a plane
wave and jointly Fourier transformed. In our modified
JTC only part of the joint spatial spectrum is observed by
a CCD. The intensity pattern of this area is displayed on a
spatial light modulator (SLM). This SLM is illuminated
by a plane wave such that the Fourier transform of the
SLM transparency is obtained on the JTC output plane.
From mathematical calculations three spatially separated
diffraction orders can be observed. The first term is the
diffraction zero-order at the vicinity of the origin of the
output plane. This term represents the autocorrelation of
the two original complex functions. The second and the
third terms correspond to the cross-correlations between
the two complex functionss and r . According to the
output results of the POCS algorithm, these cross-
correlations approximately produce the desired image.
Therefore we can retrieve the coded image by reading it
from the vicinity of specific points.
Following CGH techniques [I I ] we propose to encode
the complex functions s and r in a different way resemble
conealogram technique [IO]. In this method the
magnitude is coded within the area o f a binary dots and
the phase within the dots' positions. Every pixel of these
complex functions is replaced by a binary submatrix
Inside each submatrix there is a dot represented by some
binary value, say, I , on a background of the other binary
259
value, say, 0. The area of the (kl)th dot is determined by
the value of Is/or 111.The position of the ( k l ) t h dot inside
the submatrix is determined by the value of ?, or ',.
Note that our JTC is not the conventional one used for ' '
many schemes of pattern recognition [SI. In the present
JTC we mask the joint spectral plane, and process only
the first diffraction order in this plane. This procedure
enables us to obtain the cross-correlation between,
effectively, two complex functions, although there are
actually two real positive functions in the input plane.
3. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
To demonstrate the proposed technique, we
numerically and experimentally performed the three
stages of synthesizing and testing the proposed DCH. In
the first stage the desired image (containing the letters
DCH) was encrypted into two phase functions by the
iterative JTC-based POCS algorithm [9]. Since the SLM
used in this study (CRL, XGA3) can modulate the
transferred light with positive gray-tones only, the
complex functions were coded into a positive real
transparency. The obtained double-sections hologram was
displayed on the input plane of the JTC. Each of the two
sub-holograms covered only 110x225 pixels out of
600x600 pixels, as shown in Fig. 1. As we can see from
this picture the coded function was located in a diagonal
position in order to avoid the large zero-order diffraction
occurring at the origin of the joint transform correlation
output plane.
Figure I : Two sub-holograms on the JTC input plane
for both the simulation and experiment.
A collimated beam from He-Ne laser with h=632.8nm
illuminated SLM and created a diffraction pattern of the
joint transform power spectrum on the back focal plane
of the first Fourierlens in the JTC set up. The entire
intensity of the joint power spectrum recorded by the
CCD isshown in Fig.2.

Figure 2 : Experimental result of three diffraction
orders on the joint power spectrum plane.
Two first diffraction orders on either diagonal side of
the zero order can be observed. The center of the zero
order is blocked in Fig. 2 for a clearer visualization.
Since only one of these orders is needed, we recorded
only the intensity distribution inside the frame denoted
by the dashed line. The size of this frame was 795x596
pixels, and the pattern inside this frame was displayed on
a second SLM. Finally, after another Fourier transform
by the second lens, the correlation plane was obtained as
shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 3: Experimental. result of the desired image
constructed on the JTC correlation plane.
Thecenter of the zero order is also blocked in Fig. 3
for a clearer visualization. The three orders of the
correlation plane and the'two images of the letters DCH
in the first diffraction orders can be clearly seen,
demonstrating that the proposed method has reached its
goal. For comparison, Fig. 4 shows the same constructed
image obtained from the-digital simulation of the
process. ....'.
Figure 4: Simulation result of the desired image
constructed on the JTC correlation plane.
260
In the case of conealogram coding the POCS algorithm
was tested with an image of the sign p as the hidden
watermark pattern. Each of the two gray-tone pictures,
one for hosting the watermark and the other for hosting
the deciphering key, have the size of 68x68 pixels. After
completing enough iterations of the POCS algorithm, the .
computer memory contains two continuous-tone
complex-valued matrices which should be binarized
according the rule of the concealogram technique [ I I].
The size of each halftone cell was 11x1 I pixels. and the
gray-tone image is quantized with 7 levels of magnitude
and 11 levels of phase
Figure 5: Two rotated CONCEALOGRAMs displayed on
SLM in the optical experiment
The same setup as in the previous experiment was used
again. The two conealograms were adjusted to be
displayed on the SLM. Both halftone pictures were
rotated by 45 degrees on the input plane, as shown in Fig.
5, in order to avoid from the bright tails of the zero
diffraction order occurring at the origin of the joint
spectrum plane. A collimated beam from a He-Ne laser
illuminate the SLM and created a three diffraction orders
of the joint spectrum on the back focal plane of the first
Fourierlens. Since only one of these orders is needed,
we record only one intensity distribution inside the CCD
frame. ?he captured pattern was then displayed on a
second SLM. Finally, after another Fourier transform by
the second Fourierlens. the correlation plane was
obtained as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is the resulting
watermark reconstructed from optical cross-correlation
between two input concealograms. Three orders of the .
correlation plane and the two images of the sign p in the
first diffraction orders can be seen in the figure,
demonstrating that the proposed method has reached its
W"8l
Figure 6: Experimental results of the reconstructed
watermark observed by the CCD on the output
plane of the modified JTC.
For comparison, Fig. 7 shows the same constructed
image obtained from the numerical simulation of the
process
Figure 7: Simulation results of the JTC output plane in
which the hidden watermark was revealed.
4. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
We have proposed and demonstrated a new type of
computer-generated hologram termed DCH. h e main
purpose of the method is to construct on the output plane
a complex function in a conditional way. This means that
two, and only two, holograms are needed to create the
complex function constructed a s a cross-correlation
between the two holograms. The DCH can be used for
several applications such as an encryption system where
the image in the correlarion plane is considered as the
information that we wish to encrypt. The sub-hologram.
I [8] C. S . Weaver and J. W. Goodman. "A technique for
modified during the POCS algorithm, is the encryptcd
data, whereas the other unchanged sub-hologram is
employed as the decoder for this encrypted data. When
this same decoder is used in several encryption
procedures, it can become a general decoder for many
encrypted holograms. Placing the two sub-holograms
together in the input plane o f the JTC is the only way to
reconstruct the original image.
This concept wds combined with the recently invented
hiding information method called concealogram [I 01. The
difference between the DCH and the concealogram is that
26 1
in the latter, the binary mask is a figurative meaningful
picture instead o f a meaningless collection of dots as the
DCH. Thus, the JTC described above can be used to
reveal a watermark or steganography data embedded in
the concealogram. In this case, the concealogram is
displayed on the input plane instead of one of the sub-
holograms. Additionally, the main innovation in this study
is that an electro-optical correlator in a modified JTC
configuration deciphers the hidden information. The
hidden information is revealed as a result of a spatial
correlation between two CGH's or concealograms. As
consequence of the above technique, illegal deciphering
the hidden watermark should be practically impossible
because it is hidden in the form of complicated phase
function. The quality of the reconstructed watermark may
be improved using alternative algorithm better than the
POCS, or using SLM with more pixels.
Computer simulation and optical experiment confirm
our proposed technique. Since this teihnique can be
particularly useful for preventing illegal distribution and
since our proposed method provides the advantages o f
simple design and alignment with high degree o f security
the above technique can be used for versatile applications
in security areas.
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