Progress on chiral smectic optically addressed spatial light modulators

The authors have reported on an amorphous silicon/ferroelectric liquid crystal light valve with the following features: 28 lp/mm (50% MTF); 100 μW/cm² write light sensitivity; and submillisecond frame time. It is the aim of the authors to underline the experimental nature of this device by describing some of the current problems. The present performance falls short of fundamental limits and a comparison will be made. Finally, an indication of where future effort might best be deployed will be given