E-Series Spatial Light Modulator
A Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) is an electrically programmable device that modulates light according to a fixed spatial (pixel) pattern. SLMs have an expanding role in several optical areas where light control on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis is critical for optimum system performance. SLMs are typically used to control incident light in amplitude, phase, or the combination of both.
The new E‐series 512 x 512 Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) SLM is ideally suited for labs with a limited budget or researchers who do not require the high speed features of our premium SLMs, yet still demand high performance. This entry‐level SLM is affordably priced without sacrificing quality.
Optically Flat
All Meadowlark SLMs, including the E‐Series, are designed and fabricated to be optically flat. Native flatness can be as low as λ/8. Using the SLMs wavefront correction capabilities, the compensated flatness can be better than λ/12.
Key Features
Model‐E512‐λ‐DVI
Entry‐Level 512x512
SLM Pure Analog Phase
Control High Phase Stability
16‐bit DVI controller
Applications
Adaptive Optics
Optical Trapping
Multi‐Spot Volumetric Beam Steering
Optical Vertices
Pulse Shaping
Spectral Shaping
Tunable Lens
SLM Family
1920 x 1152
512 x 512
1 x 12,288
1 x 128
Hex 127
High Phase Stability
The E512 is designed with a backplane refresh rate of 6 kHz, and a direct analog drive scheme which provides unsurpassed phase stability. By refreshing each pixel at rates far surpassing the response time of the liquid crystal, we are able to offer a SLM with phase ripple as low as 0.20%.
16‐bit DVI Controller
16‐bit images can be transferred across the DVI interface at a rate supported by the graphics card used (60 – 200 Hz). With 16‐bits of analog voltage resolution, the SLM can be used to easily obtain more than 1000 linear resolvable phase levels. This λ/1000 phase resolution can be maintained over a broad wavelength range by tuning the look‐up‐tables / calibrations for your incident wavelength.
SLM Device Construction
Several parameters help define SLM characteristics. Pixel pitch is defined as the center‐to‐center spacing between adjacent pixels. Interpixel gap describes the edge‐to‐edge spacing between adjacent pixels.
Polarized light enters the device from the top, passes through the cover glass, transparent electrode and liquid crystal layer, is reflected off the aluminum pixel electrodes, and returns on the same path. Drive signals travel through the pins on the bottom of the pin‐grid array package, through the bond wires, and into the silicon die circuitry. The voltage induced on each electrode (pixel) produces an electric field between that electrode and the transparent electrode on the cover glass. This field produces a change in the optical properties of the LC layer. Because each pixel is independently controlled, a phase pattern may be generated by loading different voltages onto each pixel.
Entry Level E512‐λ‐DVI
High Efficiency
‐ PDM512
‐ HSPDM512
‐ ODPDM512
High Speed
‐ HSP512L
‐ HSP512
‐ HSPDM512
‐ ODP512
‐ ODPDM512
High Resolution
‐ P1920
Pixel Format
512 x 512
512 x 512
512 x 512
1920 x 1152
Pixel Pitch (μm)
15
15
15 or 25
9.2
Wavelength (nm)
405
532
635
1064
1550
405 – 1550
488 – 1550
405 – 1550
Liquid Crystal Response Time (ms)
25.0
33.3
33.3
66.7
100
4 – 130
1.2 – 28.5
6 – 33
Zero Order Diffraction Efficiency (%)
up to 61
up to 95
up to 95
up to 84
Phase Stroke
≥ 3π radians
≥ 3π radians
≥ 3π radians
≥ 3π radians
Controller
DVI
DVI, PCIe 8‐bit, PCIe 16‐bit
PCIe 8‐bit
HDMI
Array Size (mm x mm)
7.68 x 7.68
7.68 x 7.68
7.68 x 7.68 or 12.8 x 12.8
17.6 x 10.7
Fill Factor (%)
83.4
96 – 100
83.4 – 100
96