Abstract

A spatial light modulator (SLM) is a transducer that modifies the spatial distribution of an incident light beam corresponding to a controlling signal. Spatial light modulators can be classified according to the physical nature of the transducer, for example, electro-optic, magneto-optic, acousto-optic, liquid-crystal, multiple-quantum-well, and electromechanical. Two important examples of a micromachined electromechanical SLM are the deformable-mirror device¹,² and the deformable grating modulator,³ Applications of micromachined SLM's include optical communications and computing, high-definition-television projection displays, electrophotographic printers, and fiber-optic telemetry.

© 1993 Optical Society of America