Spatial Light Modulator

Meadowlark Optics’ Spatial Light Modulators

A Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) is an electrically programmable device that modulates light according to a fixed spatial (pixel) pattern. SLMs have an expanding role in several optical areas where light control on a pixel-by-pixel basis is critical for optimum system performance. They are used in various applications like optical processing, data routing, and information display.

SLMs can work through different methods in materials such as liquid crystals (LC). LC-based SLMs have advantages like high birefringence and low-voltage operation, allowing for large optical effects in thin layers. They can create large arrays operating at high data rates, even though individual pixels switch quickly. Integrating LCs with silicon backplanes is a key technology for smart pixel devices, combining detectors, electronic logic, and modulators into a single device.

Sintec Optronics is the authorized distributor of Meadowlark Optics’ liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulators in Southeast Asia and India. Meadowlark Optics’ LCoS SLMs boast exceptional speed, efficiency, and high resolution, ensuring accurate and reliable results. They are uniquely designed for pure phase applications and incorporate analogue data addressing with high refresh rates. This combination provides users with the fastest response times and highest phase stabilities commercially available. Phase-only SLMs can also be used for amplitude-only modulation or take advantage of the rectangular aperture for simultaneous phase and amplitude modulation.

Selection Guide

1. 1920 x 1200 Spatial Light Modulator

E-Series: Education, Economical and Entry-level

S-Series: 10-bit, High Efficiency, High Power

The E-Series SLM a good entry point into our SLM offerings. The standard S-Series offers additional features, including 10-bit operation, dielectric mirror coatings for improved efficiency, and liquid cooling.

SLM Features

• High resolution

• High phase stability, pure analogue phase control

• High first-order efficiency, high reflectivity

• High power handling

• Wavelengths from 400 – 1650nm

Software Features

• Output triggers

• Image generation

• Automated sequencing

• Wavefront calibration

• Global and regional look up tables

• Dynamic Recalibration Kit for quick optimization

SLM Specifications

• Resolution: 1920 x 1200

• Array Size:  15.36 x 9.60mm

• Pixel Pitch: 8.0 x 8.0µm

• Backplane Refresh: 1.35kHz

• Fill Factor: 95.6%

• 0th Order Diffraction Efficiency: 76 – 91%

• 0th Order Diffraction Efficiency: 92 – 98% (dielectric mirror)

• Controller: HDMI E-Series: 8-bit, S-Series: 10-bit

 Ordering Code

E.g.: E19x12-400-800-HDM8-WCS1: E-Series SLM with 400-800nm coating, HDMI 8-bit controller, with liquid cooling system

2. 1024 x 1024 Spatial Light Modulator

High Speed Analog, Phase Only – up to 1.7kHz

The 1024 x 1024 SLM is good for applications requiring high speed, high diffraction efficiency, low phase ripple and high-power lasers.

SLM Features

• High resolution

• High speed

• High phase stability

• Pure analogue phase control

• High first order efficiency

• High reflectivity

• High power handling

• On-board Memory

• Wavelengths from 488–1650nm

Software Features

• Input and output triggers

• Image generation

• Automated sequencing

• Wavefront calibration

• Global and regional look up tables

• Temperature monitoring

• Dynamic Recalibration Kit

SLM Specifications

• Resolution: 1024 x 1024

• Array Size: 17.40 x 17.40mm

• Fill Factor: 97.2%

• Pixel Pitch: 17 x 17μm

• Zero-Order Diffraction Efficiency: 75 – 87%

• With Dielectric Mirror Coating:92 – 98%

Ordering Code

E.g.: HSP1K-488-850-PC8-WCS1: High Speed 1024x1024 SLM with 488-850nm coating, PCIe 8-bit controller, with liquid cooling system

3. Spatial Light Modulator - 1024 x 1024  

Ultra-High Power – ≥ 1kW at 1070nm

High average power handling - The newest SLM boasts CW power handling of ≥ 1kW at 1070nm. In tests at SPICA, the SLM retained its full >1 wave range of phase modulation at powers up to 1.4 kW. With sapphire cover glass, built-in water cooling and a suite of calibration tools, the high power SLM can maintain calibrated performance under extreme laser power loads.

SLM Features

• 17.4 x 17.4mm active array

• 1024 x 1024 pixel count

• 97.20% fill factor

• Water -cooled

• TEC active heat dissipation

• AR-coated sapphire cover glass

• Dielectric mirrored backplane

• 750 – 850 nm or 980 – 1150 nm

• Pure analogue phase control

• On-board Memory

Software Features

• Input and output triggers

• Image generation

• Automated sequencing

• Wavefront calibration

• Global and regional look up tables

• Temperature monitoring

• Look-up-table Calibration Kit

Specifications

• Resolution: 1024 x 1024

• Array Size: 17.40 x 17.40mm

• Zero-Order Diffraction Efficiency: 95% (at 1064nm)

• Fill Factor: 97.2%

• Pixel Pitch: 17 x 17μm

Ordering Code:

E.g.: UHPDM1K-750-850-PC8: Ultra-high-power 1024x1024 SLM with 750-850nm coating, high-efficiency dielectric mirrors, PCIe 8-bit controller, with liquid cooling system 

4. 1536 x 1536 Spatial Light Modulator  

Custom designed for high-speed neuroscience applications

• Pixel Count: 1536 x 1536

• Array Size: 30.7 x 30.7mm

• Pixel Pitch: 20µm x 20µm

• Pixel Voltage: 12V

• Fill Factor: 96%

• Maximum GS Hologram Frame Rate at 1064nm: 600fps

• (1000 fps available at reduced efficiency)

• Trigger Response for On-board Holograms: 6µs latency / 3 – 9µs jitter

The High-Speed 1536 x 1536 SLM, combining high pixel count and high frame rate with efficient diffraction. By building on success with other models, the 1536 x 1536 SLM leverages the same pixel design in a reduced array size format for even faster addressing.

The 1536 x 1536 SLM is built for speed. It uses large high-voltage, high-capacitance pixels which are essential for increasing switching speed. These factors also serves to reduce fringing field effects and phase ripple to improve photostimulation efficiency, especially at large diffraction angles. To optimize performance, the entire SLM head is thermally controlled for operation at elevated temperatures.

The SLM drive electronics receive 8-bit 1536 x 1536 phase masks from the host computer over a 16-bit PCIe pipeline for fast transfer rates. For further speed enhancement, a library of up to 2,045 user-specified phase masks can be stored on the driver board and then selected in any sequence using on-board OverdrivePlus transition calculation.

These capabilities work together to provide hologram-to-hologram frames rates of up to 600fps at 89% of steady-state diffraction efficiency. Frame rates of up to 1,000fps have been demonstrated with commensurate decreases in diffraction efficiency.