Abstract
We propose a generalized method for analyzing the polarization modulation of different types of liquid-crystal spatial light modulators. In our method, we use a Jones matrix representation for the polarization state of the modulated light. Contrary to previous investigations we are not restricted to a particular orientation of the fast axis of the spatial light modulator giving us a unique possibility for a complete polarization performance analysis. We show a method for spatially encoding the state of polarization in a two-dimensional wavefront with elliptically polarized light, controlling both the ellipticity and rotation angle of the major axes of the ellipse. We have constructed a demonstration system using two optically addressable phase-only spatial light modulators, where it is possible to control the relative phase of each modulation cell in the spatial light modulator. This gives a full two-dimensional control over the state of polarization and results are presented for the generation of arbitrary elliptically polarized two-dimensional wavefronts. The experimental performance of the system has been analyzed and found to be in good agreement with the theoretical analysis.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
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