Abstract

Multichannel arrays of phase modulators are attractive as fast, high resolution random-access beam deflectors and can find direct application to such areas as projection display and programmable optical interconnects. Because of their similarity to a stepped-phase diffractive optical element (DOE) we call these devices programmable DOEs. Several forms of programmable DOEs for beam steering have been reported including a compact liquid crystal based system¹ and faster electrooptic based devices.^2-3 The electrooptic (E-O) systems permit much faster switching rates but at the cost of higher drive voltages. We have focused our efforts on the development of an electooptic programmable DOE based on lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT). A simple device of this type is shown in Fig. 1 (from Ref. 3).

© 1997 Optical Society of America