<title>High-resolution wavefront control using liquid crystal spatial light modulators</title>

Abstract

Liquid crystal spatial light modulator technology appropriate for high-resolution wavefront control has recently become commercially available. Some of these devices have several hundred thousand controllable degrees of freedom, more than two orders of magnitude greater than the largest conventional deformable mirror. We will present results of experiments to characterize the optical properties of these devices and to utilize them to correct aberrations in an optical system. We will also present application scenarios for these devices in high-power laser systems.

Wavefront control with a spatial light modulator containing dual-frequency liquid crystal

“…The pixel layout and the system configuration of the LCSLM wavefront control report in this work are shown in Figure 1. Operation of LC wavefront controllers has already been demonstrated at low optical power density [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. In this work we addressed the needs of high-energy laser applications.…”

Calibration of a spatial light modulator containing dual frequency liquid crystal

“…Recent work indicated that liquid crystal light modulator (LCSLM) could be used to replace the deformable mirror to correct wavefront distortions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The reflective LC SLM module reported here has a two-inch diameter active aperture with 812 pixels.…”