Spatial light modulator with full complex light modulation capability

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A method for full complex light modulation is described.
Full complex light modulation allows the modulation of a signal with independent control of phase and amplitude.
The method described uses a standard picture element.
The picture element is then divided into a number of smaller modulating elements.
Each modulating element is provided with its own circuitry for addressing.
The net phase angle, .
PHI.
, and the desired resultant amplitude, A, must be selected.
Through a series of calculations using A and .
PHI.
, a number of angles can be found.
These angles, .
theta.
.
sub.
1, .
theta.
.
sub.
2, etc.
are for the individual modulating elements.
The addressing circuitry for the individual modulating elements is then activated in such a way as to cause the modulation at the angle .
theta.
.
sub.
x.
The light signal is then directed to the picture element and its individual modulating elements.
The final step in the process occurs when the optical system scans the modulating elements and resolves them as if they were the whole picture element.
The preferred embodiment shown uses a deformable mirror device (DMD) as the picture element.
A flexure beams DMD is cut into two smaller flexure beam DMDs.
The addressing circuitry in this case is electrodes, which are located underneath each half of the picture element.
The angles, .
theta.
.
sub.
1, and .
theta.
.
sub.
2, are caused when a voltage is applied to the electrodes.
The value of the voltage applied determines the value of the angle.
The preferred embodiment shows only two modulating elements but it is possible to use this method for more than two angles.