A low-cost spatial light modulator for use in undergraduate and graduate optics labs

Derek Huang; Henry Timmers; Adam Roberts; Niranjan Shivaram; Arvinder S. Sandhu

doi:10.1119/1.3666834

A low-cost spatial light modulator for use in undergraduate and graduate optics labs

Derek Huang, Henry Timmers, Adam Roberts, Niranjan Shivaram, Arvinder S. Sandhu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are a versatile tool for teaching optics, but the cost associated with an SLM setup prevents its adoption in many undergraduate and graduate optics labs. We describe a simple method for creating a low-cost SLM by extracting components from a commercial LCD projector. We demonstrate the pedagogical applications of this SLM design by providing examples of its use in teaching diffraction and interference phenomena. We also discuss an SLM's potential as a research tool in graduate labs. In particular, we demonstrate its use in holography and in the generation of optical vortices.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	211-215
Number of pages	5
Journal	American Journal of Physics
Volume	80
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3666834
State	Published - 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Physics and Astronomy

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10.1119/1.3666834

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AB - Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are a versatile tool for teaching optics, but the cost associated with an SLM setup prevents its adoption in many undergraduate and graduate optics labs. We describe a simple method for creating a low-cost SLM by extracting components from a commercial LCD projector. We demonstrate the pedagogical applications of this SLM design by providing examples of its use in teaching diffraction and interference phenomena. We also discuss an SLM's potential as a research tool in graduate labs. In particular, we demonstrate its use in holography and in the generation of optical vortices.

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A low-cost spatial light modulator for use in undergraduate and graduate optics labs

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