High-speed multilevel 512x512 spatial light modulator

Recent advances in our high-speed multi-level (analog) 512 X 512 liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) will be presented. These advancements include smaller pixel pitch, greatly improved optical efficiency, and higher speed operation. The new VLSI SLM can utilize Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal to Nematic Liquid Crystal to achieve phase-only, amplitude-only, and phase-amplitude-coupled modulation. This device has applications in optical processing, optical storage, holographic display, and beam steering. Design criteria and experimental data will be presented.