Two-pixel computer-generated hologram with a zero-twist nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We present a method of producing a computer-generated hologram by use of a zero-twist linear nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. A 2x1 macro pixel method is used; one pixel represents the real data, and one, the imaginary. A method is shown that produces both positive and negative analog amplitude modulation.     

Space-domain lock-in amplifier based on a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We present a two-dimensional (2D) spatial lock-in amplifier that provides a contrast ratio of more than 10,000:1 for transmitted and blocked intensity patterns using a conventional liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. The device is based on spatial-domain modulation-demodulation of intensity patterns under coherent imaging conditions. The operation of the 2D lock-in amplifier is illustrated by implementing Young's double-slit arrangement for measurements of the mutual coherence between individual emitters of a 2D phase-coupled array of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers.     

Femtosecond pulse shaping using a two-dimensional liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We introduce a programmable, high-rate scanning femtosecond pulse shaper based on a two-dimensional liquid crystal on a silicon spatial light modulator (SLM). While horizontal resolution of 1920 addressable pixels provides superior fidelity for generating complex waveforms, scanning across the vertical dimension (1080 pixels) has been used to facilitate at least 3 orders of magnitude speed increase as compared with typical liquid-crystal SLM-based pulse shapers. An update rate in excess of 100 kHz is demonstrated.     

Complex modulation with a twisted-nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulator: double-pixel approach

I modify the double-phase holographic code to implement complex modulation with a transmission twisted-nematic liquid-crystal display. This device is employed in the mostly phase configuration, for which the phase modulation is coupled with a nonconstant amplitude modulation. The modified double-phase code implements arbitrary complex modulation employing the constrained complex modulation of the display.     

Digital phase-shifting interferometer with an electrically addressed liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

A digital phase-shifting interferometer with a liquid-crystal-display coupled, parallel aligned, nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulator is developed. The optical phase shift in the Michelson-type polarization interferometer is achieved by a digital phase shift of a grating displayed on the spatial light modulator. Accurate experimental results of using the heterodyne system for pi/2 phase steps were demonstrated. A phase-shifting interferometer with no moving parts and no requirement for calibration of the value of the phase shift was achieved.     

Programmable axial apodizing and hyperresolving amplitude filters with a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

Amplitude-transmitting filters for apodizing and hyperresolving applications can be easily implemented by use of a two-dimensional programmable liquid-crystal spatial light modulator operating in a transmission-only mode. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. This approach can permit the analysis of various filter designs and can allow the filters to be changed rapidly to modify the response of an optical system.     

A single-shot pixellated phase-shifting interferometer utilizing a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We introduce a novel phase-shifting pixellated interferometer based on a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator and simulate the expected performance. The phase-shifted frames are captured simultaneously, which reduces problems arising from vibrations and air turbulence. The liquid-crystal spatial light modulator is flexible and can be configured to provide a large number of phase-shift levels and geometries to reduce measurement error.     

液晶空间光调制器在飞秒脉冲色散补偿中的应用

关键词：     

Characteristics of a 128 x 128 liquid-crystal spatial light modulator for wave-front generation

Spatial and temporal characteristics of a 128x128 zero-twist nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulator are investigated for wave-front generation at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. The modulator is found to have the capability of producing at least eight phase levels between 0 and 2pi , and the rate of arbitrary phase modulation is limited to approximately 4.5 Hz. Wave-front generation of the first 55 Zernike polynomials is demonstrated.     

液晶空间光调制器产生可调三光学势阱

提出了产生三光学势阱的新方案, 在该方案中用液晶空间光调制器制作相位型闪耀光栅, 单色相干光照明, 产生按等边三角形分布的三个光学势阱, 三个光阱光强大小分布相同, 调节空间光调制器的相位分布, 可以改变光阱的相对位置, 实现三光阱到单个光阱、两光阱合并为一个光阱等演变及其反向演变, 调节过程简单、方便. 根据现有空间光调制器性能和尺寸, 模拟设计光栅, 计算三光阱的光强分布和调控过程中光强的变化, 结果表明: 用一般功率的激光照明, 能够得到具有较大峰值光强和较高光强梯度的可调三光阱, 在原子和分子光学实验研究中有多种重要的应用. 关键词： 原子和分子光学 可调三光学势阱 空间光调制器     

All optical phase-only filtering correlation with binarized inputs by a ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

All optical phase-only filtering correlator is constructed with an optically addressed ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (FSLM) for a binarized input object and a twisted-nematic liquid-crystal spatial-light modulator for a computer-generated phase-only filter. In order to improve the discrimination capability of a phase-only filtering correlator, a binarized amplitude with maximum contrast in a FSLM is used for an object input. The contrast of binarized intensities can be maximized by adjusting the rotation angles of a FSLM and polarizers. The threshold level of binarized input objects can be controlled by changing the power of a laser incident on a FLSM. Experimental results with a high discrimination capability are presented to support the numerical correlation performance.     

Experimental validation of closed-loop adaptive optics based on a self-referencing interferometer wavefront sensor and a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

A closed-loop adaptive optics system based on a self-referencing interferometer wavefront sensor (SRI WFS) using phase-shifting point-diffraction technique and an electrically addressed phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (LC SLM) is built and validated experimentally. The wavefront aberration of incoming beam is directly measured by analyzing four frames phase-shifted interferograms captured by a single CCD camera in two camera shots, and then by loading the conjugate function onto the SLM the wavefront aberration is corrected. The proposed scheme does not rely on any complicated control algorithm or wavefront-reconstruction algorithm and can achieve high-resolution and high-accuracy correction. Closed-loop correction results of single order Zernike aberrations and a Kolmogorov turbulence phase screen show that considerable improvements in the Strehl ratio (of greater than 0.94) is achieved.     

Display method with compensation of the spatial frequency response of a liquid crystal spatial light modulator for holographic femtosecond laser processing

Liquid crystal spatial light modulators, which are widely used as display devices for computer-generated holograms, have modulation characteristics that depend on spatial frequency. We describe a method for displaying a computer-generated hologram on a liquid crystal spatial light modulator with compensation of its spatial frequency response. Using this method, we demonstrate a binary phase grating with smaller dependence on the spatial frequency. We also demonstrate application of the display method to holographic femtosecond laser processing.     

Beam steering with two ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulators

Ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulators (FLC SLM's) are binary modulating devices that can be used for flexible beam steering in the microsecond range. Because they are binary, at least 60% of the light power is lost to unwanted diffraction orders, however. We suggest the use of a second FLC SLM, synchronously operating in amplitude-modulating mode, to block the unwanted orders. The proposed beam-steering method is demonstrated in a simple scanner experiment. The efficiency of the suggested beam steerer is independent of the number of steering directions.     

Diffraction-based femtosecond pulse shaping with a two-dimensional spatial light modulator

A new diffraction-based method is proposed and demonstrated for simultaneous shaping of both the phase and amplitude of femtosecond laser pulses by use of a phase-only two-dimensional spatial light modulator. The method suppresses certain types of temporal replica features ordinarily observed in femtosecond pulse shaping owing to imperfections in modulator devices and allows for multiplexed outputs suitable for use in various applications.     

Mode analysis with a spatial light modulator as a correlation filter

A procedure for the real-time analysis of laser modes using a phase-only spatial light modulator is outlined. The procedure involves encoding into digital holograms by complex amplitude modulation a set of orthonormal basis functions into which the initial field is decomposed. This approach allows any function to be encoded and refreshed in real time (60 Hz). We implement a decomposition of guided modes propagating in optical fibers and show that we can successfully reconstruct the observed field with very high fidelity.     

On the possibility of phasing subapertures with a Zernike cell and an optically addressed spatial light modulator

The possibility of phasing a large number of subapertures with a spatial light modulator optically addressed by the output beam of a Zernike interferometer is investigated theoretically. The optimum parameters of the system, the requirements for its elements, the range of compensated distortions upon phasing, and the phasing quality are determined. It is demonstrated that the proposed technique allows one to compensate effectively for the wavefront distortions of the piston difference, the tilt, and the curvature type with a total depth of the phase relief up to 8λ. In this case, it is possible to obtain a beam with a Strehl ratio larger than 0.8.     

Fiber-optic confocal microscopy using a spatial light modulator

We present a novel fiber-optic confocal microscope in which the scanning operation is achieved by use of a spatial light modulator (SLM) to sequentially illuminate individual fibers or patterns of multiple fibers. Experimental images are presented, and the optical-sectioning capability of the device is demonstrated. The novel SLM-based system is more optically efficient, achieves higher contrast, and has improved optical-sectioning capabilities compared with those of other proposed instruments for confocal microendoscopy.     

Compact direct space-to-time pulse shaping with a phase-only spatial light modulator

A very compact and innovative pulse shaper is proposed and demonstrated. The standard architecture for pulse shaping that is composed of diffraction gratings associated with an amplitude-phase spatial light modulator (SLM) is replaced by a single phase-only SLM. It acts as a pulse stretcher and as an amplitude and phase modulator at the same time. Preliminary experiments demonstrate the accurate control of amplitude and phase of shaped pulses.