Abstract: A liquid crystal spatial light modulator is disclosed having a pair of spaced transparent plates on which two electrically conductive films are coated in confronting relation. A continuous or discontinuous photosensitive film is coated on one of the conductive films. A bistable ferroelectric liquid crystal is confined between the other conductive film and the photosensitive film. An activating voltage source is applied to the conductive films. Modulator pixels are defined by a plurality of small electrically conductive elements that are carried by the photosensitive film. These conductive elements may be either transparent to a reading wavefront, or they may be reflective to a reading wavefront. An apertured film is also mounted on the photosensitive film substantially coplanar with the conductive elements.