Abstract

The modulation characteristics of the liquid crystal televisions found in the Epson Crystal Image video projector have been measured and reported for λ = 0.6328 μm. These characteristics include phase modulation and contrast ratio as a function of both bias voltage and input gray level. Many compact systems for which the LCTVs are candidate spatial light modulators, however, will utilize laser diodes operating in the near infrared. In addition, the phase modulation observed in LCTVs will tend to increase for shorter wavelengths. The purpose of the presentation is to compare the different modulation characteristics of the LCTV across a wide spectral range from blue to the near infrared. The results of these experiments will allow researchers to choose spectral bands in which the LCTV performs best and to evaluate the tradeoffs in operating these devices at other than optimum wavelengths.

© 1992 Optical Society of America