Liquid crystal spatial light modulator with a transmissive amorphous silicon photoconductor

Abstract
A spatial light modulator with a thin (1-μm) amorphous silicon (PIN) photoconductor has been demonstrated with a threshold sensitivity of μw/cm2. 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.