Total Internal Reflection Spatial Light Modulator Using Organic Electrooptic Crystal MNA

A total internal reflection (TIR) spatial light modulator (SLM) employing the organic electrooptic crystal 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (MNA) is discussed. The design configurations and performance characteristics are presented and compared with devices using inorganic electrooptic crystals such as LiNb03. It is estimated that the diffraction efficiency of a TIR SLM using MNA is enhanced by a factor of more than six compared with that using LiNb03, and, correspondingly, the driving voltage of the very large scale integration (VLIC) circuit is reduced approximately by a factor of two and half.