Novel approaches of incoherent image processing with emphasis on scanning methods

The past two decades have witnessed an impressive re-emergence of incoherent optical processing techniques. Instrumental in this evolution was the inclusion of a number of techniques, such as acousto-optic frequency shifting and phase-sensitive detection, that made it possible to design practical systems. This paper gives an overview of recently developed incoherent processing techniques. Methods for performing bipolar incoherent spatial filtering using an acousto-optic approach are discussed more specifically and a number of applications are reviewed.