Advantages
- It runs more than 50 times faster than the existing fastest SLM grating light valve.
- By using this Ultrafast 1D-SLM to rapidly control light scattering in the medium (complex optical wavefront shaping), it is possible to scan a light spot at high speed and over a wide range, perform high-resolution display, and create a dynamic light spot deep in living tissue.
Background and Technology
Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are used in a variety of applications, including projectors, 3D displays, laser processing, laser marking, aberration correction, holographic data storage, holographic optical tweezers, focusing light deep into biological samples, and pulse shaping of femtosecond lasers. Types of SLM include liquid crystal SLM, ferroelectric SLM, digital micromirror device (DMD), and grating light valve. Although the grating light valve is one-dimensional, it has the highest modulation speed (frame rate) of 350KHz.
MHz-scale frame rates have been put into practical use in cameras (spatial light detection), and if MHz-scale frame rates can be achieved in spatial light modulation, it is expected to expand the range of applications, but this is difficult to do with conventional SLMs. For example, in living mouse experiments, the scattering response of tissues changes dynamically on a sub-millisecond scale, so existing optical systems and SLMs are unable to generate light spots deep in the tissue (2 mm or more). Therefore, an ultra-high-speed SLM is required.
We have developed a method and device that performs 1D spatial light modulation at ultra-high speed (MHz scale) by continuously scanning the surface of an existing 2D-SLM with a line beam and converting it to 1D.
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Reference and Patent
- Conference: Atsushi Shibukawa et al., The 58th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan, 20515S, (2020)
- Patent application: WO 2023/048159
Principal Investigator
Atsushi SHIBUKAWA (Hokkaido University Research Institute for Electronic Science)
Current Stage and Next Step
- We have already prototyped the 1D-SLM optical system capable of a 6MHz frame rate. Furthermore, a frame rate exceeding 10MHz has been demonstrated.
- We are currently looking for partner companies to collaborate on prototyping and product development of the Ultrafast 1D-SLM. We are also looking for partner companies to collaborate on the development of applications (biophotonics, displays, etc.) using Ultrafast 1D-SLM.
Project No.BK-04774