Diffraction efficiency analysis of a parallel-aligned nematic-liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

An optically addressed parallel-aligned nematic-liquid-crystal spatial light modulator is developed for applications in optical information processing and interferometry. Its performance, including diffraction efficiency, is measured, and a theoretical analysis of diffraction efficiency is performed. A comparison between the experimental results and the theoretical analysis shows good agreement. The diffraction efficiency of near-sinusoidal gratings written on the device is of the order of 30%, which is close to theoretical maximum.