Angular and spatial light modulation by single digital micromirror device for multi-image output and nearly-doubled...

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Display Technology
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional spatial light modulators (SLMs) offer limited control over light's spatial and angular properties.
• Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs) provide high-speed binary modulation but are constrained in étendue and degrees of freedom.
• Simultaneous control over both spatial and angular light is crucial for advanced optical systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and demonstrate the Angular Spatial Light Modulator (ASLM) system.
• To enhance the spatial and angular degrees of freedom of light modulation beyond standard DMD capabilities.
• To showcase ASLM's potential in advanced display and projection applications.

Main Methods:

• Combining Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) based programmable blazed grating beam steering with binary pattern sequencing.
• Implementing ASLM to multiply effective output pixels and nearly double the étendue output of a DMD.
• Utilizing time-multiplexed pupil segmented illumination for two-dimensional pattern steering.

Main Results:

• Achieved simultaneous angular and spatial light modulation.
• Demonstrated ASLM-based extended Field of View (FOV) displays.
• Successfully implemented light-field projection and multi-view display capabilities.
• Extended pattern steering to two dimensions using time-multiplexed pupil segmented illumination.

Conclusions:

• The ASLM system effectively enhances spatial and angular light modulation capabilities.
• ASLM offers a significant improvement in étendue and effective pixel count compared to conventional DMDs.
• The demonstrated applications highlight ASLM's versatility for next-generation display and optical projection technologies.