The Technology
Spatial light modulator (SLM) is a general term describing devices that are used to modulate amplitude, phase, or polarization of light waves in space and time. Manipulating all these light properties enables generation of beams with required properties and finds many uses and applications such as computer-generated holograms [CGH], and many more. Current SLM–based systems use either optical MEMS (microelectromechanical system, [1]) or LCD technology [2], such as liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS). However, MEMS based modulators, which consist of an array of independently controllable mirrors, are very expensive and difficult to fabricate. While liquid crystal based SLM’s are the leading current technology, they suffer from low temporal response, polarization dependence and dispersion. This requires calibration of the SLM to each wavelength and polarization.The present invention utilizes a continuous elastic surface as a spatial light modulator. This surface can take the form of an elastic plate or membrane, the contact surface between two fluids, or the surface of a free-standing liquid. The surface can be reflective or transmissive. The underlying principle is that any reflection from prescribed deformation results in change in the optical path, and therefore a change in a phase. In principle, an inverse problem can be solved to relate any desired phase distribution to the necessary deformation of the elastic membrane required to achieve it.
Advantages
- The reflection has 100% fill factor.
- No chromatic dispersion, thus its calibration is wavelength and polarization independent
- Simple electronic drivers (60Hz operation requires electronic driver operating at 60Hz)
- Accommodates optical applications in the UV to the IR spectrum
- Broad application range (by coating the upper surface in a reflective coating tailored to the desired wavelength)
Applications and Opportunities
- Optical tweezers
- light shaping
- Holographic 3D displays
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