BISTABLE OPTICALLY WRITABLE IMAGE MEMORY USING PHASE-ONLY SPATIAL LIGHT-MODULATOR

A novel optically writable two dimensional image memory has been devel oped which uses a phase only, optically addressed, spatial light modul ator with a nematic liquid crystal layer. The memory uses a two-beam i nterferometer with imaging optical feedback which exhibits thresholdin g, bistability, and hysteresis characteristics. In principle, the syst em is capable of storing stable images indefinitely, but in practice v ariation of device characteristics with temperature limited storage ti mes to a few hours. This paper describes theoretical and experimental demonstration of the characteristics of the system.