<title>Spatial light modulator system for application as a dynamic diffractive element and in optical image processing</title>

Abstract

The importance of spatial light modulators (SLMs) in optical systems is increasing. This paper presents our work on an SLM system based on Sony LCD. We show the optimization of the LCD modulation behavior concerning the application as dynamical diffractive element, and the implementation of images and filter functions in optical correlators and pattern projection systems. Measurements of the coupled amplitude and phase modulation and the planarity of the display at different wavelengths lead to correction functions and several optimized operation modes, e.g. gray scale or binary amplitude modulation. The optimization in the amplitude mode leads either to high contrast images of reduced gray levels or to a mostly linearized full gray scale mode. A similar way leads to optimized modes for the phase modulation and to a realization of a total phase shift of 2(pi) . The increase of the processing performance of phase-only filters in optical correlators is presented. Furthermore, diffraction efficiency (DE) measurements of Fourier holograms addressed to the SLM prove the optimization process, compared to the non-optimized and the theoretical DE-values. So, estimations can be made concerning the application of the SLM as dynamical diffractive element.