Liquid crystal spatial light modulator with a transmissive amorphous silicon photoconductor

A spatial light modulator with a thin (1-microm) amorphous silicon (PIN) photoconductor has been demonstrated with a threshold sensitivity of <3 microw/cm(2). A novel compound electrode design greatly increases the efficiency allowing the use of a photoconductive layer thin enough to achieve good transmission. The performance characteristics are reported and compared to the predictions of a theoretical model of the device.