ELECTRICALLY ADDRESSED 256 BY 256 LIQUID-CRYSTAL-ON-SILICON SPATIAL LIGHT-MODULATOR

A 256 by 256 pixel spatial light modulator has been designed and const ructed with liquid-crystal-on-silicon technology. The device is a bina ry electrically addressed spatial light modulator with a measured zero -order contrast ratio of 70:1 and an imaged contrast ratio of 10:1. Th e electronic load time is 43 mus, and the 10-to-90% switching time of the liquid crystal is 50 mus (turn-on) and 50 mus (turn-off), giving a maximum frame rate of approximately 10 kHz. Its design for a specific application is described, and the first operational results are prese nted.