David Sanchez-de-la-Llave

Accurate encoding of arbitrary complex fields with amplitude-only liquid crystal spatial light modulators

We show that computer generated holograms, implemented with amplitude-only liquid crystal spatial light modulators, allow the synthesis of fully complex fields with high accuracy. Our main discussion considers modified amplitude holograms whose transmittance is obtained by adding an appropriate bias function to the real cosine computer hologram of the encoded signal. We first propose a bias function, given by a soft envelope of the signal modulus, which is appropriate for perfect amplitude modulators. We also consider a second bias term, given by a constant function, which results appropriate for modulators whose amplitude transmittance is coupled with a linear phase modulation. The influence of the finite pixel size of the spatial light modulator is compensated by digital pre-filtering of the encoded complex signal. The performance of the discussed amplitude CGHs is illustrated by means of numerical simulations and the experimental synthesis of high order Bessel beams.

Common-path interferometry with one-dimensional periodic filters.

We discuss a spatial filtering interferometry setup that employs a periodic spatial filter with either cosine transmittance or binary phase modulation. The setups input plane is formed by two separate windows, one of which supports a phase object and the other, a reference beam. Using the appropriate frequency and orientation of the filter produces an interference pattern of the two input fields at the output plane of the system. The main attributes and advantages of the setup are discussed and experimentally illustrated with the example of a binary phase periodic filter implemented with a spatial light modulator.

Efficient generation of an arbitrary nondiffracting Bessel beam employing its phase modulation

We report a highly efficient method for generation of any high-order nondiffracting Bessel beam employing a phase hologram whose transmittance coincides with the phase modulation of such a beam. It is remarkable that the Bessel beam generated by this hologram, at the plane of this device, has peak amplitude higher than the amplitude of the beam employed to illuminate it.

Nonlinear common-path interferometer: an image processor

A single-lens optical setup with a nonlinear medium placed in its geometrical focal plane is used to contrast a phase disturbance. This setup blends the robustness of phase-contrast methods with an optical nonlinear intensity-dependent medium and the usefulness of traditional interferometric techniques. We show that the ratio of the total illumination area to the phase-object area determines an adequate phase-disturbance contrast.

Optimum generation of annular vortices using phase diffractive optical elements.

An annular vortex of arbitrary integer topological charge q can be obtained at the Fourier domain of appropriate phase diffractive optical elements. In this context we prove that the diffractive element that generates the vortex with maximum peak intensity has the phase modulation of a propagation-invariant qth order Bessel beam. We discuss additional advantages of this phase element as annular vortex generator.

Incoherent-to-coherent conversion and square-law transmission based on photoinduced birefringence in bacteriorhodopsin films

We review the main optical properties of bacteriorhodopsin that are relevant to its use as a spatial light modulator. A model is described for the transmittance of a film placed between crossed polarizers in which photoinduced birefringence occurs. We show when the transmittance is proportional to the write intensity. We use this property in a joint transform correlator for incoherent-to-coherent conversion and effective square-law modulation in the Fourier plane.

Polarization-controlled contrasted images using dye-doped nematic liquid crystals

We explore the polarization dependence of the nonlinear response of a planar nematic liquid crystal cell doped with 1% wt of methyl red dye. The results obtained show that the refractive index change can be switched from a positive value to a negative one as the polarization of the beam changes from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the rubbing direction. This property is exploited in a phase contrast system, where a dynamic phase filter is photoinduced in a liquid crystal cell placed in the systems Fourier plane. Real-time contrast inversion in the resulting images is demonstrated.

Holographic generation of a class of nondiffracting fields with optimum efficiency.

We discuss the accurate generation of complex optical fields using phase holograms that provide the optimum diffraction efficiency. In each considered case, the phase modulation of the employed hologram is identical to the phase of the desired optical field. We show that periodic and quasiperiodic nondiffracting optical fields, mathematically obtained through the superposition of multiple plane waves, can be generated with high fidelity using this approach.

Comparing efficiency and accuracy of the kinoform and the helical axicon as Bessel–Gauss beam generators

We compare two phase optical elements that are employed to generate approximate Bessel-Gauss beams of arbitrary order. These elements are the helical axicon (HA) and the kinoform of the desired Bessel-Gauss beam. The HA generates a Bessel beam (BB) by free propagation, and the kinoform is employed in a Fourier spatial filtering optical setup. As the main result, it is obtained that the error in the BBs generated with the kinoform is smaller than the error in the beams obtained with the HA. On the other hand, it is obtained that the efficiencies of the methods are approximately 1.0 (HA) and 0.7 (kinoform).

Influence of illuminating beyond the object support on Zernike-type phase contrast filtering

A general analysis of the image fill-factor influence on Zernike-type phase contrast filtering is presented. We define image fill factor as the ratio of the object support area over the illuminating area. We first consider binary-phase objects and then generalize to arbitrarily quantized and continuous-phase objects. Numerical simulations are presented for binary- and quadratic-phase objects, where the contrast of the output image is evaluated as a function of the image fill factor, image phase variations, and filter phase. The results obtained show that the image fill factor can significantly modify the contrast and irradiance of the contrasted image.