Phase Modulation Capability of Thin Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Panels at Double-Pass Configurations

Spatial light modulators whose phase modulation capability (PMC) exceeds 2π are strongly desirable. A double-pass configuration was evaluated to enhance PMC of twisted nematic liquid crystal panels. Theoretical analysis using Jones calculus is given, and it is proved that phase modulation is exactly doubled when the panel is sandwiched by two polarizers. Experiments to measure the PMC were carried out and results coincide well with the theory.Presented at the International Commission of Optics Topical Meeting, Kyoto, 1994.