A polarization-independent liquid crystal spatial light modulator

Michael J. Escuti; W. Michael Jones

doi:10.1117/12.681213

15 September 2006 A polarization-independent liquid crystal spatial light modulator

Michael J. Escuti, W. Michael Jones

Proceedings Volume 6332, Liquid Crystals X; 63320M (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681213
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We report our recent experimental results on a new polarization-independent, liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulator (SLM). Based on a periodic nematic director profile, the modulator acts as a switchable diffraction grating with only 0^th- and ±1^st-orders at efficiencies of ≥ 99%, manifests contrast ratios ~600:1 (for laser light), switching times of ~2ms, and threshold voltages of < 1V/μm. Results of modulating broadband, unpolarized light from light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) indicates that contrast ratios are ~100:1 so far. Note that incoherent scattering for visible light is very low, and that samples are typically completely defect-free over large areas. An important feature of this diffractive polarization-independent SLM compared to its predecessors is its potential to achieve much larger diffraction angles, which enables a larger aperture (and etendue). In addition to describing the fabrication and characteristics of this SLM in general, we report on our initial progress in implementing a projection display system. All of the surprising and useful results from this grating arise from its continuous nematic director, which is most properly classed as a switchable polarization grating (PG). The SLM described here offers the inherent advantages polarization-independence at the pixel-level and fairly fast switching with nematic LCs, while maintaining similar switching voltages, cell thickness, contrast ratios, and materials.

Citation Download Citation

Michael J. Escuti and W. Michael Jones "A polarization-independent liquid crystal spatial light modulator", Proc. SPIE 6332, Liquid Crystals X, 63320M (15 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681213

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