Electrical dependencies of optical modulation capabilities in digitally addressed parallel aligned liquid crystal on silicon devices

Francisco Javier Martínez; Andrés Márquez; Sergi Gallego; Manuel Ortuño; Jorge Francés; Augusto Beléndez; Inmaculada Pascual

doi:10.1117/1.OE.53.6.067104

24 June 2014 Electrical dependencies of optical modulation capabilities in digitally addressed parallel aligned liquid crystal on silicon devices

Francisco Javier Martínez, Andrés Márquez, Sergi Gallego, Manuel Ortuño, Jorge Francés, Augusto Beléndez, Inmaculada Pascual

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 53, Issue 6, 067104 (June 2014). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.53.6.067104

Abstract

Parallel aligned liquid crystal on silicon (PA-LCoS) displays have found wide acceptance in applications requiring phase-only modulation. Among LCoS devices, and PA-LCoS as a specific case, digital addressing has become a very common technology. In principle, modern digital technology provides some benefits with respect to analog addressing such as reduced interpixel cross-talk, lower power consumption and supply voltage, gray level scale repeatability, high programmability, and noise robustness. However, there are also some degradating issues, such as flicker, which may be enhanced. We analyze the characteristics of the digital pulse width modulated voltage signals in relation to their effect on the optical modulation capabilities of LCoS displays. We apply calibration techniques developed in our laboratory, basically the classical linear polarimeter extended to take into account the existence of flicker. Various digital sequence formats are discussed, focusing the analysis on the variations in the magnitude of the applied voltages across the LC layer. From this analysis, we obtain how to amplify the retardance dynamic range and how to enhance linearity in the device without enhancing flicker and without diminishing the number of available quantization levels. Electrical configurations intended for phase-only and intensity modulation regimes, useful in diffractive optics, are given.

Citation Download Citation

Francisco Javier Martínez, Andrés Márquez, Sergi Gallego, Manuel Ortuño, Jorge Francés, Augusto Beléndez, and Inmaculada Pascual "Electrical dependencies of optical modulation capabilities in digitally addressed parallel aligned liquid crystal on silicon devices," Optical Engineering 53(6), 067104 (24 June 2014). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.53.6.067104

Published: 24 June 2014

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available