Abstract

In the microchannel spatial light modulator (MSLM),¹ a photocathode converts a 2-D addressing-light pattern into an electron image, which then passes through a 2-D microchannel plate (MCP) electron amplifier onto a mirror deposited on a LiNbO₃ electrooptic crystal. A readout light beam enters the opposite side of the crystal and reflects off the mirror to form a modulated output beam. The electron image stores on the crystal for months, but a grid between the MCP and crystal allows electron removal by secondary emission. By exploiting the secondary emission dynamics, the MSLM can intrinsically be operated in a binary hard-clip thresholding mode.^1,2

© 1987 Optical Society of America