Spatial Light Modulation

A Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) is a birefringent device that uses Liquid Crystal cells to change its index of refraction along one direction. This allows the SLM to change the intensity or the phase of incident light, which allows it to act as numerous optical elements and systems. The device used in this study was a LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon Construction) SLM, which was used to explore amplitude modulation and phase modulation of incident laser light. Subsequently, the SLM was adjusted to function as multiple different optical elements, including a Spherical Lens, Cylindrical lens, Single slit, Double Slit, and Diffraction Grating.