Demonstration of polarization-insensitive spatial light modulation using a single polarization-sensitive spatial light modulator

AbstractSpatial light modulators have become an essential tool for advanced microscopy, enabling breakthroughs in 3D, phase, and super-resolution imaging. However, continuous spatial-light modulation that is capable of capturing sub-millisecond microscopic motion without diffraction artifacts and polarization dependence is challenging. Here we present a photothermal spatial light modulator (PT-SLM) enabling fast phase imaging for nanoscopic 3D reconstruction. The PT-SLM can generate a step-like wavefront change, free of diffraction artifacts, with a high transmittance and a modulation efficiency independent of light polarization. We achieve a phase-shift > π and a response time as short as 70 µs with a theoretical limit in the sub microsecond range. We used the PT-SLM to perform quantitative phase imaging of sub-diffractional species to decipher the 3D nanoscopic displacement of microtubules and study the trajectory of a diffusive microtubule-associated protein, providing insights into the mechanism of protein navigation through a complex microtubule network.

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Data encryption of optical fibre communication using pseudo-random spatial light modulation

Opto-Electronics Review ◽

10.1515/oere-2016-0012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Kowalski ◽

M. Życzkowski

Keyword(s):

Optical Fibre ◽

Spatial Light Modulator ◽

Data Communication ◽

Data Encryption ◽

Main Element ◽

Light Modulation ◽

Light Modulator ◽

Model Concept ◽

Light Pulses ◽

Random Patterns

AbstractWe propose and study a new technique for securing fibre data communication. The paper presents a method for optical encryption of information transmitted with a traditional fibre link. The encryption method uses a spatial light modulator which converts light pulses representing original data into pseudo-random patterns. A linear combination of light pulses with pseudo-random patterns provides a required encryption performance. The main element of the encryptor is the spatial light modulator which comprises a matrix of cells selectively transmitting or blocking the light beam depending on the pseudo-random configuration of cells. The encrypted information is transmitted through the optical fibre. The decryption process relies on a computational solving of linear program or greedy pursuit. We present a brief description of the method, theoretical analysis and results of numerical simulation. A physical model concept of the method is also presented.

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Fast photothermal spatial light modulation for quantitative phase imaging at the nanoscale

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38429/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hadrien Robert ◽

Łukasz Bujak ◽

Kristýna Holanová ◽

Milan Vala ◽

Piliarik Marek

Keyword(s):

Super Resolution ◽

Light Polarization ◽

Spatial Light Modulators ◽

Phase Imaging ◽

Light Modulation ◽

Quantitative Phase Imaging ◽

Light Modulator ◽

Quantitative Phase ◽

Light Modulators ◽

Spatial Light Modulation

Abstract Spatial light modulators have become an essential tool for advanced microscopy enabling breakthroughs in 3D, phase, or super-resolution imaging. However, continuous spatial-light modulation without diffraction artifacts, polarization dependence, and able to capture sub-ms microscopic motion is challenging. Here we present a photothermal spatial light modulator (PT-SLM) enabling the fast wavefront shaping free of diffraction artifacts, having a high transmissivity and modulation efficiency independent of light polarization. It is based on the microscopic heating of a thin layer of thermo-optic material confined between the photothermal heat-source and a transparent heatsink. We achieve a phase-shift > π with a response time as short as 70 µs with a theoretical limit in the sub-µs range. The combination of the PT-SLM with an interferometric scattering microscope (iSCAT) allowed us to perform quantitative phase imaging of sub-diffractional scatterers and decipher the 3D nanoscopic displacement of microtubules matching closely with control data from atomic force microscopy.

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