Spatial Light Modulator Phase Inversion for Light Fluctuation Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spatial light modulators experience fluctuations in light output due to periodic changes in voltage signals, affecting applications like optical trapping, microscopy, and laser processing, where stability is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A spatial light modulator with a modulation unit and driving circuit that inverts the phase of drive signals between pixel groups, canceling out fluctuations in light output and allowing for stable phase patterns regardless of phase inversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a voltage signal that changes periodically with time is provided to the spatial light modulator to maintain the liquid crystal phase state, then the phase state stability is improved, but light fluctuations are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple pixel groups, and each pixel group is driven by a drive signal with a different phase. This segmentation allows the periodic fluctuations in light output from different pixel groups to be out of phase, enabling them to cancel each other out when the light is focused, thereby reducing overall light fluctuations while maintaining liquid crystal phase state stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different phases are applied to different spatial regions (pixel groups) of the spatial light modulator. By assigning different phase characteristics to different local areas, the patent creates a spatial distribution of phase variations that results in temporal cancellation of light fluctuations at the focal point, while each local region continues to maintain stable liquid crystal phase state.
2Reliability
If the phase of drive signals is inverted between pixel groups to cancel light fluctuations, then light output stability is improved, but the complexity of the driving circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic phase inversion of drive signals applied to different pixel groups. By using periodic actions with different phases, the system achieves cancellation of light fluctuations through constructive and destructive interference patterns, reducing light output instability without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly reduces light fluctuations after modulation, enhancing stability and consistency in optical trapping, microscopy, and laser processing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer 44 disposed between the two substrates 45a, 45b; and a modulation unit 40A having a plurality of pixels 40a, and for modulating a phase or an intensity of incident light L1 in each pixel 40a according to an amplitude of a drive signal
Implementation Method 2
modulating a phase or an intensity of incident light in each pixel according to an amplitude of a drive signal changing periodically with time
Implementation Method 3
a driving circuit 41 for providing the drive signal to the modulation unit 40A, and performs control such that a phase of the drive signal provided to a first pixel group 401 in the plurality of pixels and a phase of the drive signal provided to a second pixel group 402 in the plurality of pixels are mutually inverted... fluctuations of light from the first pixel group 401 and fluctuations of light from the second pixel group 402 cancel each other
Data Source
AI summary
An SLM includes a modulation unit and a driving circuit. The modulation unit includes a plurality of pixels, and modulates a phase or an intensity of incident light in each pixel according to an amplitude of a drive signal changing periodically with time. The driving circuit provides the drive signal to the modulation unit. The driving circuit performs control such that a phase of the drive signal V1(t) provided to a first pixel group in the plurality of pixels and a phase of the drive signal V2(t) provided to a second pixel group in the plurality of pixels are mutually inverted.