Complex light spatial modulator

Claim 2

A complex light spatial modulator comprising: two modulator means for respectively modulating an incident light wave as regards one different factor taken from three factors of the light wave, that is, the amplitude, the phase and the direction of polarization according to given threedimensional information; each of said two modulator means including a plate of ferroelectric crystal with a plurality of parallel strips of transparent electrode provided on each surface of said ferroelectric plate, the direction of the strips on one surface being crosswise to those on the other surface, an electric signal representing said three-dimensional information being applied across said ferroelectric plate though said transparent electrodes, and said two modulator means being disposed in tandem with respect to the incident light.

Claim 3

A complex light spatial modulator comprising two modulator means for respectively modulating an incident light wave as regards one different factor taken from three factors of The light wave, that is, the amplitude, the phase and direction of polarization according to given three-dimensional information, said two modulator means being disposed in tandem with respect to the incident light, each of said two modulator means including a composite plate consisting of a layer of ferroelectric crystal and layer of photoconductive material, the latter layer being on the light input side, a planar transparent electrode provided on each surface of said composite plate, and means for applying a DC voltage across said composite plate through said electrodes.

Claim 4

A complex light spatial modulator comprising two modulator means for respectively modulating an incident light wave as regards one different factor taken from three factors of The light wave, that is, the amplitude, the phase and direction of polarization according to given three-dimensional information, said two modulator means being disposed in tandem with respect to the incident light, each of said two modulator means including a composite plate consisting of a layer of ferroelectric crystal and layer of photoconductive material, the latter layer being on the light input side, a planar transparent electrode provided on each surface of said composite plate, and means for applying a DC voltage across said composite plate through said electrodes.

Claim 5

A complex light spatial modulator comprising: a first modulator adapted to be disposed in the path of light to be modulated, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected first characteristic of the light incident thereon; a second modulator adapted to be disposed in the path of the light modulated by said first modulator, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected second characteristic, different from said first characteristic of the light incident thereon; each of said first and second modulators including a ferroelectric crystal plate having a plurality of parallel strips of transparent electrodes provided on each surface of said plate, the direction of the strips on one surface of the plate being orthogonal to the direction of the strips on the opposite surface of the plate, an electric signal representative of modulation-imparting information being applied across said plate through said electrode, and one of said modulators further including a first polarizer having a prescribed direction of polarization disposed adjacent one side of said plate, and further including a quarter-waveplate disposed between said polarizer and said plate.

Claim 6

A complex light spatial modulator comprising: a first modulator adapted to be disposed in the path of light to be modulated, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected first characteristic of the light incident thereon; a second modulator adapted to be disposed in the path of the light modulated by said first modulator, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected second characteristic, different from said first characteristic of the light incident thereon; each of said first and second modulators including a ferroelectric crystal plate having a plurality of parallel strips of transparent electrodes provided on each surface of said plate, the direction of the strips on one surface of the plate being orthogonal to the direction of the strips on the opposite surface of the plate, an electric signal representative of modulation-imparting information being applied across said plate through said electrode, and one of said modulators further including a first polarizer having a prescribed direction of polarization disposed adjacent one side of said plate, and further including a quarter-waveplate disposed between said polarizer and said plate.

Claim 7

A complex light spatial modulator according to claim 3, wherein said one modulator further includes a second polarizer disposed adjacent the side of said plate opposite said one side thereof.

Claim 8

A complex light spatial modulator comprising: a first modulator adapted to be disposed in the path of light to be modulated, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected first characteristic of the light incident thereon; a second modulator, adapted to be disposed in the path of the light modulated by said first modulator, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected second characteristic, different from said first characteristic, of the light incident thereon; each of said first and second modulators including a composite plate of a ferroelectric crystal plate and a plate of photoconductive material, a layer of transparent electrode material provided on opposite sides of said composite plate, means for applying a voltage across said composite plate through said electrodes, and means for modulating the resistance of said photoconductive material in accordance with information-bearing light projected thereon.

Claim 9

A complex light spatial modulator comprising: a first modulator adapted to be disposed in the path of light to be modulated, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected first characteristic of the light incident thereon; a second modulator, adapted to be disposed in the path of the light modulated by said first modulator, for producing a two-dimensional distribution of a selected second characteristic, different from said first characteristic, of the light incident thereon; each of said first and second modulators including a composite plate of a ferroelectric crystal plate and a plate of photoconductive material, a layer of transparent electrode material provided on opposite sides of said composite plate, means for applying a voltage across said composite plate through said electrodes, and means for modulating the resistance of said photoconductive material in accordance with information-bearing light projected thereon.