Improved transmission in a two-level, phase-only, spatial light modulator

A novel scheme is presented for obtaining a two-level ±π/2 phase shift based on a commercially available ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FLCSLM) used in a double-pass scheme with appropriate polarisation optics. Under certain conditions, enhanced performance can be observed over conventional schemes and 100% transmission can be achieved with widely available liquid crystal materials.