Adaptive Attenuating Spatial Light Modulator

Abstract

An optically addressed, optical relaying device placed between crossed polarizers utilizes an array of pixels made up of photodetectors, circuitry, and modulating pads, and an analog liquid crystal to modulate the intensity of an optical signal on a pixel by pixel basis. The photodetector generates a current proportional to the light detected. Once the current exceeds a certain level, the circuitry stores a charge on the modulating pad proportional to the photo-induced current. This stored charge rotates the molecules of the liquid crystal thereby rotating the polarization of the light signal. The output polarizer then attenuates the light beam according to the change in polarization.