Abstract: The disclosure describes an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) having a light sensitive member and a distorted helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (DHFLC). In a first embodiment a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photodiode layer is in physical contact with the DHFLC layer. In another embodiment an integrated circuit member includes a photosensitive area and an associated metal pad for each OASLM pixel, the metal pads in physical contact with corresponding DHFLC pixel areas. In the first embodiment, a low magnitude AC voltage (less than three to seven volts peak to peak) is connected to the OASLM as operating voltage, preferably in the absence of a DC offset voltage. The OASLM pixel areas of the OASLM are selectively addressed by a writing light wavefront, to thereby activate corresponding pixel areas of the light sensitive member.