Abstract

High speed computer-controlled spatial light modulators play an important role in optical signal processing. Of interest is a commercially available nonvolatile Litton/Semetex magnetooptic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) which is limited in achievable frame rate by thermal dissipation and possible magnetic forces. Methodologies for improving the frame rate of the MOSLM are investigated. The findings described here show that a parallel-serial addressing scheme aided by a strong externally applied magnetic field bias could be employed to achieve high frame rates. A driver circuit capable of exercising the 48 × 48 MOSLM at a frame refresh time of better than one millisecond is described and its performance evaluated.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

Coherent optical characterization of magnetooptical spatial light modulators

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