Real-time phase-difference amplification with a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We describe a simple system for achieving real-time phase-difference amplif ication of interferograms. We arrange the interferogram such that it contai ns high-spatial-frequency carrier fringes and project it onto the write sid e of an optically addressed phase-only spatial light modulator. The resulta nt phase pattern on the modulator is read out by two readout beams, and dif fraction by the carrier fringes provides the spatial heterodyning that is n ecessary for achieving phase-difference amplification. We present results t hat demonstrate real-time phase-difference amplification by as much as a fa ctor of 10. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 120.3180, 120.6 660, 120.5050, 120.2830, 120.2880.