LCOS Spatial Light Modulators: Trends and Applications

LC-based SLMs have existed for the past 40 years and have been a basis for many studies in electro-optical effects. With the reflective LCOS microdisplay technology, one could realize components with parameters, unthought before (e.g., resolution, pixel size, fill factor, overall light efficiency, and driving electronics solutions). Even though projection display and SLMtarget markets are quite different, trends in the LCOS microdisplay technology fit to some extent the requirements of SLM development. This fact, the accessibility of the technology, and the possibility of customization of the parameters also lead to considerably smaller investments. The background in consumer products also ensures achievement of stable, predictable, and high-performance commercial products with competitive pricing. The availability of such SLMs has helped the scientific community to explore a wide range of potential applications. High-resolution devices were made possible, but for phase modulators, high diffraction efficiency along with high frame rate is still a challenge. Customization including SLM-specific backplane design together with mass-production-suitable production facilities opens the way for implementation in various commercial applications. Current developments will bring 10 megapixel phase-only panels (e.g., 4160 × 2464 pixels) to the market. Pixel size will drop down further below 4 μm. The continuous progress in the development of driving electronics makes higher refresh rates available, together with a reduction of digital-specific noise. This will positively influence feasibility of SLMs for industrial applications. Although LCOS SLMs have originally found their applications in scientific research, there is an increased interest in the commercial field and a transition from science to industry is expected in the near future.