Programmable array spatial light modulator device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a programmable array type spatial controllable diaphragm device and method. The device is configured with an array type spatial gating screen on the propagation path of a coherent light beam. The light transmission area of the array type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple seamlessly spliced geometric segments, and the working area is free of source thin film transistor grids. By receiving an external control signal, the device can realize spatial interception and dynamic gating of the light beam in combination with multiple electrically controlled modulation mechanisms such as liquid crystal polarization, micro-electromechanical reflection, electro-absorption or transparent light emission. The application eliminates the pixel grid at the physical layer, avoids the secondary grating diffraction effect, realizes low-delay point-to-point gating while maintaining the coherence and monochromaticity of the light beam, reduces the system hardware cost, and can be widely applied to modern optical systems such as spatial wavefront modulation, free space optical communication, analog optical computing and high-precision interference imaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of optical information processing, spatial wavefront modulation, computational optics, and free-space optical communication, specifically to a programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device and application system based on a multi-physics modulation mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In modern coherent optical systems (such as spatial light computation, beam deflection control, wavefront shaping, and high-precision interferometry), the beams emitted from various optical devices are often accompanied by multi-order diffraction images or spatial stray light. In order to accurately select the object light or reference light of a specific order, it is usually necessary to place a spatial aperture at the Fourier spectrum plane of the optical path to perform dynamic spatial filtering.

[0003] To achieve dynamic gating, traditional technologies often require the additional configuration of commercial spatial light modulators (such as LCoS-SLMs) or digital micromirror arrays (DMDs) on the spectral plane. However, the procurement costs of commercial SLMs and DMDs are high (typically tens of thousands of yuan), increasing the overall hardware cost of precision optical instruments and limiting their industrialization. Furthermore, these high-resolution microdisplay chips contain micrometer-scale active transistor grids (black matrix structures), which induce intense secondary two-dimensional grating diffraction when highly coherent lasers pass through, severely disrupting the beam's phase distribution and wavefront quality. Simultaneously, their traditional video stream driving architecture suffers from frame delay, making it difficult to meet the sub-millisecond, mechanically-free gating control requirements of opto-mechatronic systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device and method. The device eliminates pixel grids at the physical layer, achieving distortion-free point-to-point gating of light beams, and possesses flexible optical path adaptability while maintaining high beam coherence.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention employs the following inventive concept: Includes a core gating module configured along the beam propagation direction, the core gating module comprising: An array-type spatial gating screen is configured at the spatial filtering surface or relay surface of a coherent optical path to receive external control signals and perform electronically controlled beam interception or release modulation on the target local area; the light-transmitting area of ​​the array-type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple spliced ​​geometric segments, and the working area does not contain an active thin-film transistor grid.

[0006] To realize the liquid crystal polarization gating mechanism, the core gating module also includes a first polarization component and a second polarization component; The array-type spatial gating screen is an array-type liquid crystal gating screen without a native polarization film on its surface; The first polarization component is used to filter the linear polarization or polarization state of the incident light. The second polarization component is used as an analyzer to filter out unmodulated stray light, and its transmission axis is orthogonal to the first polarization component or configured at a specific angle. The array-type liquid crystal gating screen is filled with vertically aligned (VA) liquid crystal molecules. When no external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules remain vertically aligned, causing the light beam to be blocked by the second polarization component. When an external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules tilt and deflect, generating a birefringence effect, changing the polarization direction of the light beam, and allowing the light beam to pass through the second polarization component.

[0007] Based on the above inventive concept, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device includes an array-type spatial gating screen disposed at the spatial filtering surface or relay surface of a coherent optical path. The light-transmitting area of ​​the array-type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple spliced ​​geometric segments, which are used to receive external electrical signals and perform electronically controlled beam interception or release modulation on the local space where the target beam is located; the working area of ​​the geometric segment does not contain a grid of active thin-film transistors. The hardware structure of the array-type spatial gating screen is selected from any of the following: a. An array-type liquid crystal gating screen without a native polarizing film, used in conjunction with an external polarizing component, for performing liquid crystal birefringence polarization modulation; b. Digital micromirror devices based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for performing physical reflection deflection; c. A light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, used for performing local absorbance modulation; d. A transparent display panel with variable transmittance for performing pixel black state masking modulation; e. A panel using electronic ink or electronic paper display for performing reflection and scattering modulation of charged particles.

[0008] As another preferred beam interception and release mechanism, the array-type spatial gating screen can also be replaced by any of the following structures: (1) Micromirror arrays based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) (such as digital micromirror devices DMD) control the flip angle of each micromirror unit through physical reflection, so as to reflect the diffracted beam from the non-target area away from the main optical path; (2) A light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, whose light absorption rate in a specific geometric region is controlled by an external electrical signal, directly absorbs and eliminates light beams in non-target regions; (3) A transparent display panel with variable transmittance, selected from transparent OLED, transparent Micro-OLED or transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material, which controls a specific geometric segment area to become black and opaque to block the light beam, while the remaining area remains highly transparent to allow the light beam to pass through; (4) Electronic ink (E-ink) or electronic paper display panel, which controls the distribution of charged particles in the microcapsule through electric field, and uses external reflection and scattering mechanism to block non-target beams.

[0009] Preferably, when the array-type spatial gating screen is an array-type liquid crystal gating screen, the device further includes a first polarizing component and a second polarizing component; the liquid crystal molecules filled inside the array-type liquid crystal gating screen are selected from nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal, or smectic liquid crystal materials; when no external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules maintain a vertical alignment, and the incident light is blocked by the second polarizing component; when an external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules tilt and deflect and generate a birefringence effect, changing the polarization direction of the passing light, so that the light beam passes through the second polarizing component; the first polarizing component is used to perform linear polarization or polarization state filtering on the incident light, and the transmission axis of the second polarizing component is orthogonal to or at a preset angle to the transmission axis of the first polarizing component, and is used as an analyzer to filter out unmodulated stray light.

[0010] Preferably, when the array-type spatial gating screen is the digital micromirror device based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), the reflective surface of each micromirror unit is composed of a high-reflectivity metal thin film based on aluminum, silver or gold. By controlling the flip angle of each micromirror unit, the diffracted beam from the non-target area is reflected away from the main optical path to achieve spatial gating.

[0011] Preferably, when the array-type spatial gating screen is a light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, the electro-absorbing material or electrochromic material is selected from transition metal oxides, violet and its derivatives, or polythiophene conductive polymer materials; the light absorption rate of a specific geometric segment is controlled by an external electrical signal to directly absorb and eliminate the light beam in the non-target area.

[0012] Preferably, when the array-type spatial gate is the transparent display panel with variable transmittance, the transparent display panel is selected from transparent OLED, transparent Micro-OLED, or transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material; wherein the core modulation layer of the transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material adopts organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite material or all-inorganic perovskite material; by controlling a specific geometric segment area to become black and opaque to intercept the light beam, the remaining area remains highly transparent to allow the light beam to pass.

[0013] Preferably, when the array-type spatial gating screen is a panel using electronic ink (E-ink) or electronic paper display, the charged particles suspended in its microcapsules include titanium dioxide-based white particles and carbon black-based black absorbing particles; the distribution of charged particles in the microcapsules is controlled by an electric field, and non-target light beams are blocked by external reflection and scattering mechanisms.

[0014] Preferably, the shape of the geometric segment includes any one or more topological combinations of square, triangle, hexagon or concentric ring.

[0015] Preferably, the geometric segments are composed of a continuous indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductive film, with each segment arranged in a complementary shape and closely spaced. These complementary geometric segments together cover the effective working area.

[0016] Preferably, the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device of the present invention further includes a control module, which includes a microcontroller and a dedicated underlying driver chip; the microcontroller receives absolute addressing instructions through a bus and communicates asynchronously with the dedicated underlying driver chip through a serial interface to directly rewrite the underlying registers and dynamically adjust the control bias voltage of each geometric segment.

[0017] Preferably, the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device of the present invention can be configured in a holographic optical path system for spatial interception and dynamic gating of stray diffraction order light or array beam splitting light emitted from the core optical element in the system; the core optical element is selected from any one of a spatial light modulator, a microlens array, or a diffractive optical element.

[0018] An optical system employing the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device of the present invention includes at least one core optical element and the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device; the core optical element is selected from any one of spatial light modulators, microlens arrays, and diffractive optical elements.

[0019] Preferably, when the core optical element is a spatial light modulator, the system further includes a Fourier lens; the light beam reflected by the spatial light modulator is converged by the Fourier lens, and the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device is disposed at the back focal plane of the Fourier lens for spatial interception and dynamic gating of the diffraction order stray light emitted from the spatial light modulator.

[0020] Preferably, when the core optical element is a microlens array or a diffractive optical element, the incident light is split by the core optical element to form multiple parallel array beams. The programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device is configured at the relay plane or focal plane of the array beam propagation, and acts as a parallel optical gate matrix to spatially intercept and dynamically select the array beam splitting light.

[0021] More preferably, when the core optical element is a microlens array or a diffractive optical element, a blazed diffraction grating is generated to produce two parallel beams of light.

[0022] A spatial gating method using the programmable array spatially controllable aperture device of the present invention includes the following steps: 1) Based on the spatial topology of the target gating spot, the control module outputs external control signals to the array-type spatial gating screen; 2) After receiving the signal, the array-type spatial gating screen changes the physical modulation state corresponding to a specific geometric segment; 3) Perform electronically controlled release of the target beam and spatially intercept stray beams in non-target areas through polarized birefringence shielding, micromirror physical reflection, electro-absorption energy dissipation, pixel black state shielding, or charged particle scattering.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following prominent substantive features and significant technical advancements: 1. This invention replaces the single solution of high-cost commercial high-resolution SLM or DMD as the secondary aperture in traditional optical paths by using an array-type spatial gating screen with customized multi-physical modulation mechanism (such as segment code liquid crystal screen, MEMS micromirror or specific transparent panel, etc.), thereby reducing the hardware cost of dynamic gating devices and having practical value for industrial mass production and popularization of precision optical instruments (or coherent optical equipment).

[0024] 2. This invention does not employ the traditional grid design of screens, but instead uses a continuous region of passive microfilament grids (such as a single continuous conductive film). Since there are no fine grid lines obstructing the light-transmitting area, the secondary grating diffraction effect is reduced when the laser passes through, thus effectively maintaining the original cleanliness and accuracy of the beam and preserving the phase purity of the coherent beam (or spatial wavefront).

[0025] 3. Regarding the liquid crystal polarization implementation scheme, when light passes through the device of the present invention, the system only changes the vibration direction (polarization state) of the light, without causing any random interference to the light wave or making the light color mixed. The transmitted light still maintains a pure color (monochromaticity) and a consistent light wave rhythm (coherence), which can be directly used for subsequent precise interferometric imaging and recording.

[0026] 4. The device of this invention (especially when using vertically aligned VA liquid crystal technology or direct absorption / reflection technology) has excellent light-shielding effect in the closed state, effectively blocking light transmission. Unlike ordinary displays that refresh complex video streams frame by frame, it directly sends simple switching commands to the underlying hardware. This approach eliminates complex processing steps and achieves low-latency, mechanical-free gating control by directly rewriting the underlying registers. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the physical structure of the core module of the array-type spatially controllable aperture device (liquid crystal polarization embodiment) of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the principle of liquid crystal molecule deflection and linear polarization rotation when the liquid crystal programmable array spatial controllable aperture is in a closed (opaque) state.

[0029] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the principle of liquid crystal molecule deflection and linear polarization rotation when a liquid crystal programmable array spatial controllable aperture is in the open (transparent) state.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path architecture of the present invention applied to an interferometric and filtering system based on a spatial light modulator.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path architecture of the present invention applied to a holographic 3D printing and volumetric holographic data storage system combining a microlens array.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path architecture of the present invention applied to a parallel laser direct writing and maskless lithography system that combines diffractive optical elements.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the continuous geometric segment array topology distribution and full-area coverage design of an array-type gating screen.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the reflected light path when the spatially controllable aperture based on a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) micromirror array is at different deflection angles in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path when the spatially controllable aperture based on the electro-absorption / electrochromic material is in a state of high transmittance and strong absorption and heat dissipation in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path principle when the spatially controllable aperture based on the transparent display panel (transparent OLED / perovskite) is in the transparent release state and the black state of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path principle for controlling charged particles to avoid light transmission and scattering based on the spatially controllable aperture control of electronic ink (E-ink) in an embodiment of the present invention. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0038] 1: Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) 2: Incident light (coherent laser beam) 3: Fourier lens 4: Vertical polarizer (polarizer) 5: VA segment LCD screen (with original polarizing film removed) 6: Horizontal polarizer (analyzer) 7: Liquid crystal molecules that have not undergone deflection (vertical orientation state) 8: Deflected liquid crystal molecules (tilted orientation state) 9: Segment of segment code screen (electronically controlled geometric segment unit) 10: Microlens array 11: Diffractive optical elements (DOE) 12: Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate 13: Micromirror unit in the on state 14: Micromirror unit in the off state 15: Target reflected beam 16: Deviated stray beam 17: Light Absorption Baffle 18: Transparent conductive electrode layer 19: Material section in a high transmittance state (release state) 20: Material segment in a strong absorption state (interception state) 21: Penetrating target beam 22: Schematic diagram of heat dissipation when light energy is converted into heat energy 23: Transparent display panel (transparent OLED / perovskite screen) 24: Panel area in a highly transparent physical state (release zone) 25: The driving area is a black, opaque panel area (interception area). 26: Penetrating target beam 27: Electronic Ink Display Panel 28: Microcapsule structure 29: Charged particles in a yielding state (forming a light-transmitting area) 30: Charged particles in a blocking state (forming a scattering region) 31: Scattered / diffuse stray light produced by particles blocking the light. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following embodiments are only used to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and substance of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention, all of which should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] A programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device, characterized in that: it includes an array-type spatial gating screen disposed at the spatial filtering surface or relay surface of a coherent optical path; The light-transmitting area of ​​the array-type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple spliced ​​geometric segments (9), which are used to receive external electrical signals and perform electronically controlled beam interception or release modulation on the local space where the target beam is located; the working area of ​​the geometric segment (9) does not contain a source thin-film transistor grid; The hardware structure of the array-type spatial gating screen is selected from any of the following: a. An array-type liquid crystal gating screen without a native polarizing film, used in conjunction with an external polarizing component, for performing liquid crystal birefringence polarization modulation; b. Digital micromirror devices based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for performing physical reflection deflection; c. A light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, used for performing local absorbance modulation; d. A transparent display panel with variable transmittance for performing pixel black state masking modulation; e. A panel using electronic ink or electronic paper display for performing reflection and scattering modulation of charged particles.

[0041] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are as follows: Example 1

[0042] See Figure 1 A programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device includes a first polarization component, an array-type liquid crystal gating screen, and a second polarization component arranged along the propagation direction of the light ray (coherent laser beam) 2.

[0043] The first polarization component is a vertical polarizer (polarizer) 4, used to linearly polarize or filter the polarization state of the incident coherent light. The array-type liquid crystal gating screen is a VA segment liquid crystal screen (with the original polarization film stripped) 5, which is disposed at the spatial filtering surface or relay surface of the coherent optical path. Its surface does not contain the original polarization film, and its light-transmitting area is composed of multiple segments (electronically controlled geometric segment units) 9 of the seamlessly spliced ​​segment screen, used to receive external control signals and perform electronically controlled phase modulation on the target local area.

[0044] The second polarizing component is a horizontal polarizer (analyzer) 6, whose transmission axis is orthogonal to or at a specific angle to the vertical polarizer (polarizer) 4, and is used as an analyzer to filter out unmodulated stray light.

[0045] This embodiment of the system eliminates the physical pixel grid by using a customized LCD segment screen, reducing the hardware cost of the dynamic spatial aperture, and the structure can be flexibly expanded. Example 2

[0046] This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the array-type spatial gating screen is an array-type liquid crystal gating screen 5, the device further includes a first polarization component 4 and a second polarization component 6; the liquid crystal molecules filled inside the array-type liquid crystal gating screen 5 are selected from nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal, or smectic liquid crystal materials; when no external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules 7 remain in a vertically aligned state, and the incident light 2 is blocked by the second polarization component 6; when an external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules 8 tilt and deflect and generate a birefringence effect, changing the polarization direction of the passing light, so that the light beam passes through the second polarization component 6; the first polarization component 4 is used to perform linear polarization or polarization state screening on the incident light 2, and the transmission axis of the second polarization component 6 is orthogonal to the transmission axis of the first polarization component 4 or configured at a preset angle, and is used as an analyzer to filter out unmodulated stray light.

[0047] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 The gating working principle is explained as follows: The VA segment LCD screen (with the original polarization film stripped) 5 is filled with high-contrast liquid crystal molecules in a vertically aligned (VA) pattern. Specifically, the liquid crystal molecules can be nematic liquid crystals (such as 4-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl, i.e., 5CB), cholesteric liquid crystals, or smectic liquid crystal materials.

[0048] See Figure 2 When no external control voltage is applied (normally black state), the liquid crystal molecules in this local area are in a vertically aligned state (vertical alignment state) 7, constrained by the alignment film to be arranged perpendicular to the substrate surface. When the polarized linearly polarized light 2 passes through this power-off region, it exhibits pseudo-isotropy and does not change the linear polarization direction of the light 2. When the light beam reaches the horizontal polarizer (analyzer) 6, it is completely blocked.

[0049] See Figure 3 When an external control voltage is applied (on state), the strong electric field forces the liquid crystal molecules to overcome the orientation force and tilt, transforming them into tilted liquid crystal molecules (tilted orientation state) 8, producing a controlled birefringence effect. The polarization direction of the electric field vector of the linearly polarized light 2 passing through it is rotated in a controlled manner, thus allowing it to pass through the horizontal polarizer (analyzer) 6. This physical process only changes the polarization state, preserving the original monochromaticity and high coherence of the light 2.

[0050] Example 3: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: See Figure 7The light-transmitting gating area of ​​the VA segment LCD screen (with the original polarization film stripped) 5 is composed of a continuous indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductive film deposited on a glass substrate. The light-transmitting area of ​​the array-type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple spliced ​​geometric segments 9, used to receive external electrical signals and perform electronically controlled beam interception or release modulation on the local space where the target beam is located; the working area of ​​the geometric segment 9 does not contain an active thin-film transistor grid.

[0051] The transparent conductive film is etched into multiple independently controllable segments (electronically controlled geometric segment units) 9 of the segment code screen. All electronically controlled geometric segment units 9 are designed as any one or more complementary combinations of square, triangular, hexagonal, or concentric ring shapes. Only narrow, micrometer-level insulating gaps are left between each electronically controlled geometric segment unit 9, thus completely covering the entire effective light-transmitting working area. Specifically, the working area of ​​this electronically controlled geometric segment unit 9 does not contain a source thin-film transistor (TFT) grid. Because the pixel array and black matrix topology of traditional display panels are abandoned, coherent incident light 2 does not produce a secondary grating diffraction effect when passing through this working area, preserving the phase purity of the wavefront.

[0052] Example 4: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: When the array-type spatial gating screen is the digital micromirror device based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), the reflective surface of each micromirror unit is composed of a high-reflectivity metal thin film based on aluminum, silver or gold. By controlling the flip angle of each micromirror unit, it reflects the diffracted beam from the non-target area away from the main optical path, thereby achieving spatial gating.

[0053] This embodiment provides a spatial gating alternative to the liquid crystal principle. See also Figure 8 The array-type spatial gating screen is a digital micromirror device (DMD) or a macroscopic micromirror array based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In the digital micromirror device, the reflective surface of each micromirror unit is composed of a high-reflectivity metal thin film based on aluminum, silver, or gold. At the relay plane of the coherent optical path, by controlling the flip angle of the micromirror unit corresponding to a specific geometric segment, unwanted diffracted stray light is physically reflected and deviated from the main optical path, while the target beam that needs to be retained enters the subsequent optical system through micromirror reflection at a specific angle.

[0054] Example 5: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: When the array-type spatial gating screen is a light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, the electro-absorbing material or electrochromic material is selected from transition metal oxides, violet and its derivatives, or polythiophene conductive polymer materials; the light absorption rate of a specific geometric segment is controlled by an external electrical signal to directly absorb and eliminate the light beam in the non-target area.

[0055] This embodiment provides an alternative spatial gating scheme. See also Figure 9 The light-transmitting substrate of the array-type spatial gating screen is coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material. Specifically, this material can be a transition metal oxide (such as tungsten trioxide WO3, nickel oxide NiO), violet and its derivatives, or a polythiophene-based conductive polymer. When the external control module applies a voltage to a specific electrically controlled geometric segment unit 9, the material in that area exhibits high transmittance to allow the target light beam to pass through; while areas without applied voltage become strongly absorbent, directly absorbing stray photon energy and converting it into heat energy for elimination, thus avoiding stray light scattering.

[0056] Example 6: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: When the array-type spatial gating screen is a transparent display panel with variable transmittance, the transparent display panel is selected from transparent OLED, transparent Micro-OLED, or transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material; wherein the core modulation layer of the transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material adopts organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite material or all-inorganic perovskite material; by controlling a specific geometric segment area to become black and opaque to intercept the light beam, the remaining area remains highly transparent to allow the light beam to pass.

[0057] This embodiment provides a spatial gating alternative based on self-emissive or transparent crystalline materials. See also Figure 10 The array-type spatial gated screen employs a transparent OLED, a transparent Micro-OLED, or a transparent display panel based on novel materials such as perovskite. When using a perovskite transparent optoelectronic modulation screen, its core modulation layer can be an organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite material (such as CH3NH3PbI3) or an all-inorganic perovskite material. In this application scenario, the control module is not used for image display but rather as a light shutter. Through power control, the geometric segment area where the beam needs to be intercepted becomes black (opaque), while the geometric segment area where the beam needs to be allowed to pass maintains the panel's original highly transparent physical state, achieving spatial filtering and interception of coherent beams.

[0058] Example 7: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: When the array-type spatial gating screen is a panel using electronic ink (E-ink) or electronic paper display, the charged particles suspended in its microcapsules include titanium dioxide-based white particles and carbon black-based black absorbing particles; the distribution of charged particles in the microcapsules is controlled by an electric field, and non-target light beams are blocked by external reflection and scattering mechanisms.

[0059] This embodiment provides a spatial gating alternative based on particle physics blocking and scattering. See also Figure 11 The array-type spatial gating screen uses an electronic ink (E-ink) or electronic paper display panel. Microcapsule structures 28 are arranged in an array between its transparent conductive electrode layers 18. The charged particles suspended within the microcapsules include titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based white particles and carbon black-based black absorbing particles. Under the control of an external electric field, in the light-transmitting zone, charged particles 29 in a reluctance state are adsorbed to the edge of the capsule, allowing the target beam 26 to penetrate; while in the blocking zone, charged particles 30 in a blocking state are concentrated on the light-facing surface, generating stray light 31 through physical scattering and diffuse reflection mechanisms, thereby blocking the coherent beam in the original direction.

[0060] Example 8: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device in this embodiment also includes a control module, which includes a microcontroller and a dedicated liquid crystal driver chip.

[0061] To achieve low-latency spatial addressing, the system eliminates the need for complex video stream refresh protocols. The host computer sends absolute addressing commands to the microcontroller via a bus based on the physical coordinates of the target gating spot. The microcontroller directly communicates asynchronously with a dedicated LCD driver chip through a three-wire serial interface, directly rewriting the underlying registers and adjusting the AC bias voltage on specific electronically controlled geometric segment unit 9. This architecture achieves sub-millisecond synchronization between the electronically controlled gating state and other core components of the optical path.

[0062] Example 9: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: See Figure 4 In this embodiment, the programmable array spatially controllable aperture device is applied to a computational holography and interferometry system based on a spatial light modulator. When the core optical element is a spatial light modulator 1, the system also includes a Fourier lens 3; the light beam reflected by the spatial light modulator 1 serves as the incident light 2, which is then converged by the Fourier lens 3. The programmable array spatially controllable aperture device is positioned at the back focal plane of the Fourier lens 3 to spatially intercept and dynamically select the diffraction-order stray light emitted from the spatial light modulator 1.

[0063] The coherent light rays 2, containing multi-order diffraction images, reflected by the spatial light modulator (SLM) 1 are converged into a discrete array of physical light spots by the Fourier lens 3. The spatial aperture device (including a vertical polarizer 4, a VA segment LCD screen 5, and a horizontal polarizer 6) is positioned at the back focal plane (spectral plane) of the Fourier lens 3. By controlling the activation of specific electronically controlled geometric segment units 9 on the VA segment LCD screen 5, the system can allow the target object light or reference light of the required order to pass through, while using the dark-state region with high occlusion rate to block stray diffracted light of other orders, ultimately forming high-contrast interference fringes at the rear end of the optical path.

[0064] Example 10: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: See Figure 5 In this embodiment, the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device is applied to a holographic 3D printing and volumetric holographic data storage system. When the core optical element is a microlens array 10, the incident light 2 is split by the core optical element to form multiple parallel array beams. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device is positioned at the relay plane or focal plane of the array beam propagation, acting as a parallel optical gate matrix to spatially intercept and dynamically select the array beam splitting light.

[0065] In this system, the front-end parallel wide-width light beam 2 is split into multiple parallel narrow beam channels after being dispersed by the microlens array 10. The spatial aperture device is deployed at the relay surface of the beam propagation of the array. Relying on its complementary electronically controlled geometric segment unit 9 array design, the system can arbitrarily scale and address according to the actual physical topology of the holographic printing dot matrix, dynamically switching the beam channels participating in exposure in a short time, ensuring no spatial crosstalk between adjacent holographic data pages or printed voxels.

[0066] Example 11: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: See Figure 6 In this embodiment, the programmable array spatially controllable aperture device is applied to a parallel laser direct writing and maskless lithography system. When the core optical element is a diffractive optical element 11, the incident light 2 is split by the core optical element to form multiple parallel array beams. The programmable array spatially controllable aperture device is positioned at the relay plane or focal plane of the array beam propagation, acting as a parallel optical gate matrix to spatially intercept and dynamically select the array beams.

[0067] At the front end of the optical path, a diffractive optical element (DOE) 11 modulates the incident light 2, generating multiple parallel diffractive array beams. These diffractive beams are then converted by an optical group into a high-density focal array on the focal plane. The spatial aperture device is placed at this focal plane as a parallel shutter matrix. When it is necessary to independently control the brightness of each focal point, there is no need to recalculate and refresh the complex holographic phase diagram of the front-end diffractive optical element (DOE) 11; beam blocking can be achieved simply by cutting off specific electrically controlled geometric segment units 9 of the VA segment LCD screen 5 using a control signal. This scheme not only reduces computational overhead but also achieves high-fidelity micro / nano lithography processing due to the absence of diffraction noise within the aperture.

[0068] Example 12: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: This embodiment applies the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device to a dynamic optical tweezers and biological micromanipulation system.

[0069] In this system, an array beam is focused by a microscope objective to capture tiny particles (such as cells and microspheres). The spatial aperture is precisely positioned at the conjugate Fourier surface in front of the objective. When it is necessary to release particles at a specific location or retain only part of the trap potential, the host computer does not need to re-execute complex phase map iteration algorithms (such as the GS algorithm) to refresh the light field; it only needs to instantly cut off the electrically controlled geometric segment unit 9 corresponding to that beam path via a control signal. This scheme reduces the system's dependence on computing power, achieves independent manipulation of multiple target particles with "zero delay," and the device's high coherence of the beam ensures the stability of the optical trap intensity.

[0070] Example 13: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: This embodiment applies the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device to intelligent microscopic imaging and dynamic spatial frequency filtering systems (such as phase contrast microscopes and dark field microscopes).

[0071] To address the centrosymmetric characteristics of the frequency domain of microscopic samples, the light-transmitting area of ​​the VA segment LCD screen 5 is specially designed as a complementary electrode topology of concentric annular or fan-shaped electrically controlled geometric segment units 9, precisely positioned at the back focal plane (Fourier spectrum plane) of the microscope objective. By electrically switching the on / off state of specific concentric annular electrically controlled geometric segment units 9, the system can dynamically block low-frequency zero-order light (achieving pure dark-field imaging) or allow only high-frequency spatial frequency components in specific directions (achieving directional edge extraction). This approach replaces the physical apertures in traditional microscopes that require mechanical insertion and removal, achieving purely electrically controlled, programmable frequency domain wavefront modulation, effectively improving the signal-to-noise ratio of imaging.

[0072] Example 14: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: This embodiment applies the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device to an optical neural network and analog optical computing architecture.

[0073] In free-space optical computing systems, coherent light waves are used for parallel matrix multiplication or Fourier convolution. In this device, the VA segment LCD screen 5 is configured in the optical path as a neuron layer or spatial weight modulation layer. Through a low-latency communication interface, the system can perform high-speed binarization (0 or 1) amplitude blocking modulation on a spatially arranged beam array, equivalent to the Dropout operation or binary weight loading in an optical neural network. This embodiment relies entirely on optical physical processes for computation, resulting in low power consumption. Furthermore, the pixel-free physical design of the electronically controlled geometric segment unit 9 ensures the rigor of coherent interference and avoids crosstalk caused by traditional commercial LCD screens.

[0074] Example 15: This embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiments, with the following differences: A spatial gating method for a programmable array spatially controllable aperture device using the above embodiments includes the following steps: 1) Based on the spatial topology of the target gating spot, the control module outputs external control signals to the array-type spatial gating screen; 2) After receiving the signal, the array-type spatial gating screen changes the physical modulation state corresponding to a specific geometric segment 9; 3) The target beam is electrically released, while stray beams in non-target areas are spatially intercepted through polarized birefringence shielding, micromirror physical reflection, electro-absorption energy dissipation, pixel black state shielding, or charged particle scattering. The device of this invention eliminates the pixel grid at the physical layer, and the method achieves distortion-free point-to-point gating of the beam, while maintaining high beam coherence and flexible optical path adaptability.

[0075] The programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device of the present invention, as described above, features an array-type spatial gating screen configured along the propagation path of a coherent light beam. The light-transmitting area of ​​the array-type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple seamlessly joined geometric segments, and the working area does not contain a grid of active thin-film transistors. By receiving external control signals, the device can combine various electro-optical modulation mechanisms such as liquid crystal polarization, microelectromechanical reflection, electroluminescence, or transparent emission to achieve spatial interception and dynamic gating of the light beam. This invention eliminates the pixel grid at the physical layer, avoiding secondary grating diffraction effects. While maintaining the coherence and monochromaticity of the light beam, it achieves low-latency point-to-point gating, reducing system hardware costs. It can be widely applied to modern optical systems such as spatial wavefront modulation, free-space optical communication, analog optical computing, and high-precision interferometric imaging.

[0076] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made according to the purpose of the invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations or simplifications made based on the spirit and principle of the technical solution of the present invention shall be equivalent substitutions. As long as they meet the purpose of the invention and do not deviate from the technical principle and inventive concept of the present invention, they shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A programmable array-type spatially controllable aperture device, characterized in that: This includes array-type spatial gating screens configured at the spatial filtering surface or relay surface of a coherent optical path; The light-transmitting area of ​​the array-type spatial gating screen is composed of multiple spliced ​​geometric segments (9), which are used to receive external electrical signals and perform electronically controlled beam interception or release modulation on the local space where the target beam is located; the working area of ​​the geometric segment (9) does not contain a source thin-film transistor grid; The hardware structure of the array-type spatial gating screen is selected from any of the following: a. An array-type liquid crystal gating screen without a native polarizing film, used in conjunction with an external polarizing component, for performing liquid crystal birefringence polarization modulation; b. Digital micromirror devices based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for performing physical reflection deflection; c. A light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, used for performing local absorbance modulation; d. A transparent display panel with variable transmittance for performing pixel black state masking modulation; e. A panel using electronic ink or electronic paper display for performing reflection and scattering modulation of charged particles.

2. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the array-type spatial gating screen is an array-type liquid crystal gating screen (5), the device further includes a first polarization component (4) and a second polarization component (6); the liquid crystal molecules filled inside the array-type liquid crystal gating screen (5) are selected from nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal or smectic liquid crystal materials; when no external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules (7) maintain a vertical alignment state, and the incident light (2) is blocked by the second polarization component (6); when an external control voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules (8) tilt and deflect and generate a birefringence effect, changing the polarization direction of the light passing through, so that the light beam passes through the second polarization component (6); the first polarization component (4) is used to perform linear polarization or polarization state screening on the incident light (2), and the transmission axis of the second polarization component (6) is orthogonal to the transmission axis of the first polarization component (4) or configured at a preset angle, and is used as an analyzer to filter out unmodulated stray light.

3. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the array-type spatial gating screen is the digital micromirror device based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), the reflective surface of each micromirror unit is composed of a high-reflectivity metal thin film based on aluminum, silver or gold. By controlling the flip angle of each micromirror unit, it reflects the diffracted beam from the non-target area away from the main optical path, thereby achieving spatial gating.

4. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the array-type spatial gating screen is a light-transmitting substrate coated with an electro-absorbing material or an electrochromic material, the electro-absorbing material or electrochromic material is selected from transition metal oxides, violet and its derivatives, or polythiophene conductive polymer materials; the light absorption rate of a specific geometric segment is controlled by an external electrical signal to directly absorb and eliminate the light beam in the non-target area.

5. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the array-type spatial gating screen is a transparent display panel with variable transmittance, the transparent display panel is selected from transparent OLED, transparent Micro-OLED, or transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material; wherein the core modulation layer of the transparent optoelectronic modulation screen based on perovskite material adopts organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite material or all-inorganic perovskite material; by controlling a specific geometric segment area to become black and opaque to intercept the light beam, the remaining area remains highly transparent to allow the light beam to pass.

6. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the array-type spatial gating screen is a panel using electronic ink (E-ink) or electronic paper display, the charged particles suspended in its microcapsules include titanium dioxide-based white particles and carbon black-based black absorbing particles; the distribution of charged particles in the microcapsules is controlled by an electric field, and non-target light beams are blocked by external reflection and scattering mechanisms.

7. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the geometric segment (9) includes any one or more topological combinations of square, triangle, hexagon or concentric ring; the geometric segment (9) is composed of a continuous indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductive film, and the geometric segments (9) are arranged in complementary shapes.

8. An optical system employing the programmable array spatially controllable aperture device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It includes at least one core optical element and the programmable array spatial controllable aperture device; the core optical element is selected from any one of a spatial light modulator (1), a microlens array (10) and a diffractive optical element (11).

9. The optical system according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the core optical element is a spatial light modulator (1), the system also includes a Fourier lens (3); the light beam reflected by the spatial light modulator (1) is used as the incident light (2), and the incident light (2) is then converged by the Fourier lens (3). The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device is configured at the back focal plane of the Fourier lens (3) to perform spatial interception and dynamic gating of the diffraction order stray light emitted by the spatial light modulator (1). When the core optical element is a microlens array (10) or a diffractive optical element (11), the incident light (2) is split by the core optical element to form multiple parallel array beams. The programmable array spatial controllable aperture device is configured at the relay plane or focal plane of the array beam propagation, and acts as a parallel optical gate matrix to spatially intercept and dynamically select the array beam splitting light.

10. A spatial gating method using a programmable array spatially controllable aperture device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: 1) Based on the spatial topology of the target gating spot, the control module outputs external control signals to the array-type spatial gating screen; 2) After receiving the signal, the array-type spatial gating screen changes the physical modulation state corresponding to a specific geometric segment (9); 3) Perform electronically controlled release of the target beam and spatially intercept stray beams in non-target areas through polarized birefringence shielding, micromirror physical reflection, electro-absorption energy dissipation, pixel black state shielding, or charged particle scattering.

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