DESIGN, FABRICATION, SWITCHING, AND OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW MAGNETOOPTIC SPATIAL LIGHT-MODULATOR

A new, reflected mode magneto-optic spatial light modulator (R-MOSLM(T M)) device has been developed for miniature optical correlators and co mputers. A factor of 4 improvement in pixel switching sensitivity, com pared to the conventional transmission mode magneto-optic spatial ligh t modulator, has been achieved by the use of narrower drive lines, and burying the conductor into the film. A factor of 3 higher resolution and a factor of 2 higher optical efficiency have also been achieved by the use of smaller pixels and narrower pixel gaps. The smaller pixels and improved switching sensitivity permit an order of magnitude reduc tion in optical path length and increase in frame rate, respectively. The progress that has been made in the design of the R-MOSLM device, i ssues concerning its fabrication, a comparison by finite element analy sis of field modeling to experimentally determined current requirement s to drive individual lines, and some optical characteristics are disc ussed.