Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Research Articles

Background suppression structured illumination microscopy based on polarization modulation

We report a structured illumination microscopy (SIM) reconstruction method based on polarization modulation (PM), which can suppress background noise by utilizing the polarization-sensitivity properties of fluorescent dipoles. The proposed method employs a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) spatial light modulator (SLM) to generate multidirectional interference patterns, and uses a combination of two liquid crystal variable phase retarders (LCVRs) and a quarter-wave plate (QWP) for flexible and rapid polarization modulation. The results of simulations and experiments demonstrate that the combination of SIM and PM effectively suppresses background noise in SIM with a slight improvement in resolution. This technique also solves the problem of structural distortion that occasionally exists in SIM and improves the accuracy of the reconstruction.

Synchronization and clock recovery in a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator based free-space optical communication link.

Synchronization of the transmitter and receiver is crucial in a free-space optical communication system for the proper transfer and retrieval of user information. In this work, we propose a method for the synchronization and recovery of the clock signal at the receiver from the optical signal modulated by a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FLCSLM) in the transmitter. We have demonstrated our scheme by building an experimental arrangement that comprises an FLCSLM based computer generated holography assembly for modulating the laser beam in the transmitter and a photodiode cum micro-controller circuit in the receiver to generate the synchronized clock. We present the experimental results to demonstrate the accuracy of the recovered clock and the successful retrieval of the transmitted user information. The scheme can work for amplitude modulated, phase modulated, or complex amplitude modulated information transfer based on the FLCSLM.

Two-Wavelength Computational Holography for Aberration-Corrected Simultaneous Optogenetic Stimulation and Inhibition of In Vitro Biological Samples

Optogenetics is a versatile toolset for the functional investigation of excitable cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes in vivo and in vitro. While monochromatic illumination of these cells for either stimulation or inhibition already enables a wide range of studies, the combination of activation and silencing in one setup facilitates new experimental interrogation protocols. In this work, we present a setup for the simultaneous holographic stimulation and inhibition of multiple cells in vitro. The system is based on two fast ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulators with frame rates of up to 1.7 kHz. Thereby, we are able to illuminate up to about 50 single spots with better than cellular resolution and without crosstalk, perfectly suited for refined network analysis schemes. System-inherent aberrations are corrected by applying an iterative optimization scheme based on Zernike polynomials. These are superposed on the same spatial light modulators that display the pattern-generating holograms, hence no further adaptive optical elements are needed for aberration correction. A near-diffraction-limited spatial resolution is achieved over the whole field of view, enabling subcellular optogenetic experiments by just choosing an appropriate microscope objective. The setup can pave the way for a multitude of optogenetic experiments, in particular with cardiomyocytes and neural networks.

Enhancement of wavefront measurement sensitivity in a zonal wavefront sensor without curtailing the sensing speed

In this paper we propose a zonal wavefront sensing scheme that facilitates wavefront measurement with enhanced sensitivity at the standard video rate. We achieve this enhanced sensitivity by implementing a sequential display of binary holograms described over each zone sampling the incident wavefront with the help of a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator. By keeping the number of active zones as 24 and using a camera with an imaging frame rate equal to the binary hologram display rate of the spatial light modulator, we are able to reach a sensing frame rate of 60 Hz. In addition to enhanced sensitivity, the proposed scheme facilitates zone-wise tuning of binary holograms and eliminates the possibility of any crosstalk between adjacent zones. We perform a proof-of-principle experiment that validates the proposed zonal wavefront sensing scheme and demonstrates its advantages.

Low-coherence optical diffraction tomography using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator.

Optical diffraction tomography (ODT) is a three-dimensional (3D) label-free imaging technique. The 3D refractive index distribution of a sample can be reconstructed from multiple two-dimensional optical field images via ODT. Herein, we introduce a temporally low-coherence ODT technique using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FLC SLM). The fast binary-phase modulation provided by the FLC SLM ensures the high spatiotemporal resolution. To reduce coherent noise, a superluminescent light-emitting diode is used as an economic low-coherence light source. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed system using various samples, including colloidal microspheres and live epithelial cells.

Array detection in a holographic scanning microscope

In this paper we describe a simple experimental arrangement to implement array detection in a scanning optical microscope where both the beam shaping and beam scanning are done holographically. A ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator is used to implement dynamic and reconfigurable binary holograms and an ordinary camera is used as the array detector. We use a scanning scheme that enables array detection over 120 × 120 scan positions and 40 × 40 detector array data for each position with an acquisition time of 40 s using a 15 fps (frames per second) camera. We demonstrated the working of the microscope to implement image subtraction and image scanning microscopy in both reflected and fluorescence light.

A laser scanning microscope executing intraframe polarization switching of the illumination beam.

The polarization of the illumination beam in a beam scanning microscope such as the confocal microscope plays an important role in extracting the orientational information of the molecules in the specimen. In this paper, we present the development of a beam scanning microscope comprising a custom designed optical arrangement to obtain images of the same target with different polarizations of the illumination beam. The optical arrangement, based on a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FELCSLM), can generate homogeneous as well as non-homogeneous user defined polarization profiles over the cross-sectional area of the illumination beam. Here, we employ a computer generated holography technique and exploit the programmability of the FELCSLM display to considerably reduce the time gap between two successive illuminations of each location of the specimen with two different polarizations. We demonstrate the working of the beam scanning microscope where the polarization profile of the illumination beam is switched at the end of every line scanned, in contrast to a conventional beam scanning microscope where the polarization can be switched at the end of every frame scanned. Preliminary experimental results obtained using a polarization sensitive target confirm the feasibility of the proposed scheme.

Addressable spatial light modulators for eye-tracking autostereoscopic three-dimensional display using a scanning laser.

A scanning laser-based back light three-dimensional (3D) display capable of rendering full-resolution, low crosstalk, and vivid 3D depth perception has been developed by incorporating time-sequential multiplexing and eye-tracking technologies. This system includes three main subsystems: a scanning laser module, a relay transfer unit created by combining multiple transmissive-type electrically addressed ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulators (FLC-SLMs), and a dual-directional transmission screen (DDTS) unit that can produce different angular magnification factors in both the tangential and sagittal planes. The light beam is directed by the DDTS after transmission through FLC-SLMs, and left and right eye viewing zones are produced sequentially in accordance with the locations of clear apertures in the FLC-SLM that are controlled based on data from the eye-tracking system. Owing to the persistence of human vision, 3D images are formed as a result of the high-speed scanning backlight and fast response characteristics of the FLC-SLM. A prototype of the proposed 3D display was designed and built, and experiments were carried out. The experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme, and full-resolution images with natural 3D perception are demonstrated by the prototype.

A ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator encoded with orthogonal arrays and its optimized design for laser speckle reduction

In laser projectors, speckle reduction can be achieved by projecting a changing binary phase diffuser onto the screen. Here, we sequentially encoded a commercialized ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FLC-SLM) with the rows of a two-level orthogonal array of order sixty-four, thus obtaining a changing binary phase diffuser. With the help of this binary phase diffuser, the subjective speckle contrast ratio on the screen is reduced from Cb=0.71 to Ca=0.1. Based on the experimental results, a simplified transparent FLC-SLM design is first proposed. This newly designed FLC-SLM has two phase modulation depths and can be driven with the passive matrix addressing scheme. Therefore, the control electronics of the proposed FLC-SLM can be significantly simplified compared to the currently used one.

Enhancing the quality of reconstructed 3D objects by using point clusters.

A novel algorithm for constructing computer-generated holograms using point clusters is presented. This method exploits the precalculated triangular meshes used in previous research and can reconstruct less noisy 3D objects. In addition, the high-speed property of a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator is utilized to enhance the reconstruction quality. All 3D holograms generated in this paper are based on Fresnel propagation; thus, the Fresnel plane is treated as a vital element in producing the hologram. A GeForce GTX 770 graphics card with 2GB memory was used to achieve parallel high-speed hologram generation.

Fast precalculated triangular mesh algorithm for 3D binary computer-generated holograms

A new method for constructing computer-generated holograms using a precalculated triangular mesh is presented. The speed of calculation can be increased dramatically by exploiting both the precalculated base triangle and GPU parallel computing. Unlike algorithms using point-based sources, this method can reconstruct a more vivid 3D object instead of a "hollow image." In addition, there is no need to do a fast Fourier transform for each 3D element every time. A ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator is used to display the binary hologram within our experiment and the hologram of a base right triangle is produced by utilizing just a one-step Fourier transform in the 2D case, which can be expanded to the 3D case by multiplying by a suitable Fresnel phase plane. All 3D holograms generated in this paper are based on Fresnel propagation; thus, the Fresnel plane is treated as a vital element in producing the hologram. A GeForce GTX 770 graphics card with 2GB memory is used to achieve parallel computing.

Note: laser beam scanning using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator.

In this work we describe laser beam scanning using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator. Commercially available ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulators are capable of displaying 85 colored images in 1 s using a time dithering technique. Each colored image, in fact, comprises 24 single bit (black and white) images displayed sequentially. We have used each single bit image to write a binary phase hologram. For a collimated laser beam incident on the hologram, one of the diffracted beams can be made to travel along a user defined direction. We have constructed a beam scanner employing the above arrangement and demonstrated its use to scan a single laser beam in a laser scanning optical sectioning microscope setup.

Double pass, common path method for arbitrary polarization control using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator

We present a method for arbitrary control of the polarization of a light beam. Our method uses two holograms on a binary ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FLCSLM), and so has the potential to allow polarization state switching at kilohertz rates. Unlike previous methods that achieve polarization control using FLCSLMs, our method is common path and requires only the simplest optical components. For this reason, the method is very easy to setup, align, and maintain. In addition, it has the ability to modulate unpolarized input light. We demonstrate the formation of radially, azimuthally, and circularly polarized beams by imaging their focal spots formed at low numerical aperture.

Fast beam steering with a ferroelectric-liquid-crystal optical phased array

We demonstrate fast, efficient beam steering using a single 1x32 analog ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) spatial light modulator. A high-tilt FLC material with 82 degrees optic-axis switching provides, in a reflective-mode device with a passive quarter-wave retarder between a half-wave FLC layer and a mirror, 91% of full 0-2pi phase modulation. Electronic drive based on applied charge gives 200 micros response-time analog modulation.

A multipurpose WDM holographic device for filtering, wavelength multiplexing and routing applications

This work describes the theory, design, and experimental results of a generic multipurpose device that can operate as a tunable wavelength filter, wavelength multiplexer and wavelength router. This device could be especially useful in optical networks applications based in both Coarse and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing technology (CWDM/DWDM). The enabling component is a Ferro-electric Liquid Crystal (FLC) Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) where dynamic holograms are implemented in real time. As a consequence, the device will be able to carry out different functions according to the hologram recorded on the SLM. The great advantage of this device is a polarization insensitivity operation, allowing low cross-talk and simple handling. Also some topics on Computer Generated Holograms (CGHs) design process are commented and general guidelines also are done. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated the capability of a phase FLC-SLM, with the great advantage of a polarization insensitivity operation, to diffract the incident light according its wavelength and hologram patterns, for the use in the former applications.

Dynamic manipulation of Bose-Einstein condensates with a spatial light modulator

We manipulate a Bose-Einstein condensate using the optical trap created by the diffraction of a laser beam on a fast ferro-electric liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The modulator acts as a phase grating which can generate arbitrary diffraction patterns and be rapidly reconfigured at rates up to 1 kHz to create smooth, time-varying optical potentials. The flexibility of the device is demonstrated with our experimental results for splitting a Bose-Einstein condensate and independently transporting the separate parts of the atomic cloud.

Design of a device with wavelength multiplexing and routing functions using dynamic holography on SLMs

This work describes the theory and design of a generic multipurpose device that can operate as a tunable wavelength filter, wavelength multiplexer and wavelength router. This device could be especially useful in optical network applications based in both coarse and dense wavelength division multiplexing technology. The enabling component is a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) where dynamic holograms are implemented in real time. As a consequence, the device will be able to carry out different functions according to the hologram recorded onto the SLM. The great advantage of this device is a polarization insensitivity operation, allowing low crosstalk and simple handling.

Binary phase only filters for rotation and scale invariant pattern recognition with the joint transform correlator

The joint transform correlator (JTC) is one of the two main optical image processing architecture which provides a highly effective way of comparing images in a wide range of applications. Traditionally, an optical correlator is used to compare an unknown input scene with a pre-captured reference image library, to detect if the reference occurs within the input. Strength of the correlation signal decreases rapidly as the input object rotates or varies in scale relative to the reference object. The aim of this paper is to overcome the intolerance of the JTC to rotation and scale changes in the target image. Many JTC systems are constructed with the use of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) spatial light modulators (SLMs) as they provide fast two-dimensional binary modulation of coherent light. Due to the binary nature of the FLC SLMs used in the JTC systems, any image addressed to the device need to have some form of thresholding. Carefully thresholding the grey scale input plane and the joint power spectrum (JPS) has significant effect on the quality of correlation peaks and zero order (DC) noise. A new thresholding technique to binarise the JPS has been developed and implemented optically. This algorithm selectively enhances the desirable fringes in the JPS which provide correlation peaks of higher intensity. Zero order noise is further reduced when compared to existing thresholding techniques. Keeping in mind the architecture of the JTC and limitations of FLC SLMs, a new technique to design rotation and scale invariant binary phase only filters for the JTC architecture is presented. Filers design with this technique have limited dynamic range, higher discriminability among target and non-target objects, and convenience for implementation on FLC SLMs. Simulation and experiments shows excellent results of various rotation and scale invariant filters designed with this technique. A rotation invariant filter is needed for various machine vision applications of the JTC. By fixing the distance between camera and input object, the scale sensitivity of the correlator can be avoided. In contrast to the industrial machine vision applications, scale factor is very important factor for the applications of the JTC systems in defence and security. A security system using a scale invariant JTC will be able to detect a target object well in advance and will provide more time to take a decision.

Time-Multiplexed Laguerre-Gaussian holographic optical tweezers for biological applications

A ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator is used to generate up to 24 independently controllable traps in a holographic optical tweezers system using time-multiplexed Fresnel zone plates. For use in biological applications, helical zone plates are used to generate Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes. The high speed switching of the ferroelectric device together with recent advances in computer technology enable fast, smooth movement of traps that can be independently controlled in real time. This is demonstrated by the trapping and manipulation of yeast cells and fungal spores.

Fast Face-Recognition Optical Parallel Correlator Using High Accuracy Correlation Filter

We designed and fabricated a fully automatic fast face recognition optical parallel correlator [E. Watanabe and K. Kodate: Appl. Opt. 44 (2005) 5666] based on the VanderLugt principle. The implementation of an as-yet unattained ultra high-speed system was aided by reconfiguring the system to make it suitable for easier parallel processing, as well as by composing a higher accuracy correlation filter and high-speed ferroelectric liquid crystal-spatial light modulator (FLC-SLM). In running trial experiments using this system (dubbed FARCO), we succeeded in acquiring remarkably low error rates of 1.3% for false match rate (FMR) and 2.6% for false non-match rate (FNMR). Given the results of our experiments, the aim of this paper is to examine methods of designing correlation filters and arranging database image arrays for even faster parallel correlation, underlining the issues of calculation technique, quantization bit rate, pixel size and shift from optical axis. The correlation filter has proved its excellent performance and higher precision than classical correlation and joint transform correlator (JTC). Moreover, arrangement of multi-object reference images leads to 10-channel correlation signals, as sharply marked as those of a single channel. This experiment result demonstrates great potential for achieving the process speed of 10000 face/s.