Comparison of transmissive and reflective spatial light modulators for optical manipulation applications

There are basically two types of high-resolution spatial light modulators (SLMs): reflective and transmissive. Obviously, the two types lend themselves to different optical configurations, where one might have advantages over the other for generating the dynamic multi-spot patterns needed by the micromanipulator. In addition, there are inherent performance and operational differences between the two, which has several implications. This paper compares reflective and transmissive high resolution SLMs as well as optical and electrical addressing schemes for operation in optical manipulation applications.