Spatial optical modulator (SOM): Samsung's light modulator for next‐generation laser displays

— A new type of diffractive spatial optical modulators (SOMs) has been developed for projection-display and other applications such as holographic data storage, programmable lithography, and optical communications. It exhibits the inherent advantages of fast response time and high-performance light modulation, suitable for high-quality and high-resolution projection displays. The ±1st-order efficiency and contrast ratio of 39% and 1000:1 was achieved for a prototype SOM. The response time can be as fast as 0.7μsec with a 400-nm displacement, enough to make a full-HD display, being driven by 10-V. A laser display in full-HD format (1920 × 1080) was successfully demonstrated by using prototype projection engines having SOM devices, signal-processing circuits, and projection optics.