HIGH REFLECTIVITY LCOS DEVICE

摘要

Described herein is a spatial light modulator (15) for modulating the phase, retardation or polarization state of an incident optical signal propagating in a first dimension. The optical phase modulator (15) includes a liquid crystal material (17) and a pair of electrodes (19 and 21) for supplying an electric potential across the liquid crystal material (17) to drive liquid crystals in a predetermined configuration. Modulator (15) also includes a diffractive optical element (29) disposed adjacent a first electrode (19). Element (29) includes a first array of diffractive elements (31) formed of a first material having a first refractive index and extending in a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the first dimension. Elements (31) are at least partially surrounded by a second material (33) formed of a lower refractive index.