Abstract

An interesting effect has been observed in a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). Used in transmission mode, with continuous read and write light illumination, the modulated read beam contains two modulations, one produced by the write beam intensity variation and the other produced by the electrical waveform used to drive the SLM. When a chopper is placed in the write beam and the chopping frequency is varied, yet another modulation of the read beam is observed. This modulation affects the contrast and resolution of the SLM, producing an output that sinusoidally varies between best contrast and resolution and no contrast or resolution. This modulation is due to synchronization of the frequency and phase of the electrical waveform driving the SLM. Results of an ongoing study of this effect and a theoretical model of the effect will be presented.

© 1992 Optical Society of America