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Abstract

An optical apparatus includes a plurality of encoders, each encoder arranged to encode a first complex element onto an input stream of light; and a plurality of input ports arranged in a first array. Each input port is arranged to be supplied with a corresponding one of the input streams, thereby forming an input function definable based on the value of the first complex elements and the position of the corresponding input ports in the first array. The input ports are arranged to provide an optical input to an optical Fourier transform stage arranged to perform at least one optical Fourier transform or convolution of the input function. The optical apparatus further includes: a plurality of output ports arranged in a second array, each output port arranged to receive a portion of the output of the optical Fourier transform stage and thereby form an output stream. The optical apparatus also includes a plurality of decoders, each decoder arranged to decode a second complex element from each of the output streams based on at least one characteristic of the respective output stream, the second complex element is a full complex number.

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First Claim