High-Speed Spatial Light Modulators

Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are devices that modulate the amplitude, phase, or polarization of light beams in a spatially varying manner. They are integral components in various optical systems, enabling applications such as holography, beam shaping, and adaptive optics. The current state-of-the-art SLMs are predominantly based on liquid crystal technology, which, while versatile, is limited in speed due to the intrinsic properties of liquid crystals. Typical liquid crystal SLMs operate with < 1 kHz framerates 

At QPANG, we are developing high-speed spatial light modulators with framerates > 100 kHz. High-speed SLMS would arguably be the most powerful optoelectronic devices as they would enable the control over billions spatial and temporal degrees of freedom. These devices have the potential to revolutionize many fields such as imaging through scattering media for optical in-vivo imaging, cancer photothermal therapy, and imaging in foggy environments. Moreover, these devices are crucial for advancements in optical communication, quantum control, photonic computing, and optical neural networks. Our work focuses on developing new techniques, algorithms, and materials to boost the speed of SLMs paving the way for the next generation of high-performance optical systems.