Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

971346

Proposal

Number:

25.02-8958

Project Title:

Real-Axis Programmable Spatial Light

Modulator for Compact and Rugged

Optical Correlators

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

The success of optical correlators based on

programmable SLMs has led to the desire for

implementing the same functionality in a compact,

rugged package for use in space, military, and

industrial applications. Boulder Nonlinear Systems

(BNS) proposes to draw on its expertise in the

development of high-speed binary and multi-level

SLMs to develop a high-resolution, high-contrast,

light-efficient, multi-level SLM specifically for

integration into compact and rugged optical

correlators. The proposed device leverages a

$450,000 investment in a high-speed 512x512

multi-level SLM. This device lacks the required

optical contrast, light-efficiency, and small pixel

pitch required to build a compact, rugged optical

correlator. BNS proposes during Phase I to perform

advanced techniques for die-scale planarization of

the optical surface of our 512x512 multi-level

modulator; and liquid crystal alignments. The

combination of these should yield a high-contrast,

light-efficient, multi-level 512x512 SLM. During

Phase II, a new 512x512 SLM would be developed

utilizing these advances, as well as implementing a

smaller pixel pitch. The combination of the smaller

pixel pitch and the improved optical quality would

yield a near optimum SLM for compact, rugged

optical correlators. As the only current supplier of

high-speed analog SLMs, BNS is highly qualified to

complete such a program.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

BNS has built substantial business around our

SLMs because we have designed them exclusively

for optical processing applications. This focus of

design objectives has so far resulted in three

successful SLM products, the 128x128 binary

SLM, the 256x256 binary SLM, and the 128x128

multi-level SLM. Most of our customers select our

product because our primary competitors are only

interested in the high volume display market, and

hence their products do not meet all of the

specifications that are important to the optical

processing community. Since the introduction of our

128x128 multi-level SLM, we have received

numerous requests for a higher resolution,

high-speed, high-contrast, multi-level SLM such as

the 512x512 SLM that we are proposing. Potential

customers that have shown interest in this

development include those in optical correlation,

holographic storage, beam steering, 3-D display,

printing, and optical computing. These inquiries

have come from the space, military, commercial,

and academic communities in our country as well as

abroad. With the successful completion of the

proposed Phase I and II efforts, we will be in a

position to offer this 512x512 SLM as a product,

the likes of which cannot currently be found

anywhere.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

kipp bauchert

Boulder Nonlinear Systems, Inc.

1898 South Flatiron Court

Boulder , CO 80301

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

roylnn serati

Boulder Nonlinear Systems, Inc.

1898 South Flatiron Court

Boulder , CO 80301