0000000000435389
AUTHOR
Jeffrey A. Davis
Generation of Bessel beam arrays through Dammann gratings.
In this work we apply the Dammann grating concept to generate an equal-intensity square array of Bessel quasi-free diffraction beams that diverge from a common center. We generate a binary phase mask that combines the axicon phase with the phase of a Dammann grating. The procedure can be extended to include vortex spiral phases that generate an array of optical pipes. Experimental results are provided by means of a twisted nematic liquid crystal display operating as a binary π phase spatial light modulator.
Teaching Fourier optics through ray matrices
In this work we examine the use of ray-transfer matrices for teaching and for deriving some topics in a Fourier optics course, exploiting the mathematical simplicity of ray matrices compared to diffraction integrals. A simple analysis of the physical meaning of the elements of the ray matrix provides a fast derivation of the conditions to obtain the optical Fourier transform. We extend this derivation to fractional Fourier transform optical systems, and derive the order of the transform from the ray matrix. Some examples are provided to stress this point of view, both with classical and with graded index lenses. This formulation cannot replace the complete explanation of Fourier optics prov…
Transmission and phase measurement for polarization eigenvectors in twisted-nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulators
Recently we published theoretical expressions for the eigenvalues and eigenvectors for a twisted-nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM) as a function of the twist angle and birefringence using the Jones matrix formalism. These polarization eigenvectors are of interest for newer video graphics adapter (VGA) resolution (640 3480 pixels) LCSLMs that are thinner and consequently have a lower birefringence. Although these devices can produce excellent amplitude modulation, they cannot achieve phase-only modulation using linearly polarized light. In these cases, the polarization eigenvectors are required to obtain phase-only modulation. We present experimental measurements for bot…
Twist angle determination in liquid crystal displays by location of local adiabatic points
In this work we present a method for the determination of the twist angle of an arbitrary twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The method is based on the location of local adiabatic points, i.e., situations in which the liquid crystal SLM acts only as a rotation device. For these cases, the rotation induced on the polarization of the incident beam is equal to the twist angle. Consequently, the twist angle can be determined with high precision. We show that local adiabatic regime may be achieved in two ways, either by changing the incident beam wavelength, or by applying a voltage to the electrodes of the display. However, the simple model that describes the SLM in the off…