Project Title:

Universal Spatial Light Modulator

06.08-8933
912065
Universal Spatial Light Modulator
Displaytech, Inc.
2200 Central Avenue
Boulder
CO
80301
Mark A.
Handschy
303-449-8933
ARC
NAS2-13530
117

06.08-8933
912065

Abstract:

Universal Spatial Light Modulator
The proposed work aims to develop "smart" spatial light modulators (SLMs) that integrate
photodetectors, light modulators, and electronic intra- and intercell processing.
These SLMs exploit a hybrid optoelectronic technology that places ferroelectric liquid
crystal (FLC) light modulators directly atop silicon VLSI circuitry. A small, prototype
FLC-VLSI SLM will be designed and fabricated implementing an innovative "universal"
function: it would be addressed either electrically or optically, and it would provide
programmable image thresholding, subtraction, memory, and inversion. The Phase I
prototype SLM should have an array size of 16 x 16 or greater and a frame update
rate greater than 1 kHz. This prototype will include pixel circuit design and simulation,
VLSI layout, silicon integrated circuit (IC) fabrication, fabrication of FLC modulators
atop the IC, and characterization of the resulting SLM. Phase II should result in
arrays sizes of 256 x 256 or greater with contrast better than 200:1 and frame rates
in excess of 10 kHz. The resulting SLMs will be no larger than a packaged integrated
circuit like a microprocessor and will require no specialized driver circuitry beyond
a standard logic-level interface.
The SLMs should find use in myriad optical processing applications such as correlators
and morphological processors. Foreseen commercial applications include use as input
devices in optical digital memory systems and as miniature displays suitable for
projection or head-mounted virtual reality environments.
spatial light modulator, ferroelectric liquid crystal, optoelectronics, optical signal
processing, image processing, optical computing