Abstract: An optical power regulator employs a variable optical attenuator having a first birefringent element that spatially separates the input optical beam into two orthogonally-polarized beams. Both beams pass through a polarization modulator (e.g., a liquid crystal material) that rotates their polarizations to an extent determined by the control voltage applied across the polarization modulator. A final birefringent element spatially separates both beams exiting the polarization modulator into two pairs of orthogonally-polarized beams (i.e., two horizontally-polarized and two vertically-polarized components). The thicknesses and optical properties of the birefringent elements are selected so that two of the four beams are combined by the final birefringent element to exit at the output port of the regulator, while the remaining two beams are blocked.

Abstract: An optical information processor according to the present invention comprises a spatial light modulator 1 illuminated by linearly polarized coherent light and a linear polarization detector element 2 for detecting light diffracted by the spatial light modulator 1, wherein a rotatory polarization element of the spatial light modulator 1 is arranged in such a manner that the direction of the major molecular axis 11 thereof at the incident light side substantially conforms to the linear polarization axis direction (Y-axis direction) of the coherent light and the linear polarization detector element 2 is arranged in such a manner that the detecting axis 21 thereof crosses substantially at right angles with the major polarization axis of the zero-order diffracted light 4 included in the diffracted light described above.

Abstract: In a spatial light modulator of the present invention, a photoconductive layer formed of photoconductive material receives write light having a spatial distribution in its intensity and changes resistivity of the photoconductive material dependently on the spatial distribution in the intensity of the received write light. A liquid crystal layer formed of liquid crystal molecules of nematic phase receives read light and presents birefringence with respect to the received read light. An electric voltage is applied through the photoconductive layer and the liquid crystal layer to thereby produce an electric field in the liquid crystal layer. The photoconductive layer changes the electric field produced in the liquid crystal layer in accordance with the resistivity of the photoconductive material so as to electrically control the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: A projecting type image display apparatus includes a calculation processing unit for calculating a Fraunhofer diffraction image of an original image, an image display unit for producing/displaying the calculated Fraunhofer diffraction image, and an image converting unit for projecting the produced/displayed Fraunhofer diffraction image to the original image and projecting the original image on the screen. The calculation processing unit has a function of calculating the Fraunhofer diffraction image of the projection image and outputting the same to the image display unit. The image display unit is provided with an image display element on which the Fraunhofer diffraction image is optically displayed. The image projecting unit is provided with first and second lenses for converting the Fraunhofer diffraction image to the original image and projecting the original image on the screen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for and method of simulating an image in real time under turbulent atmospheric conditions. The present invention is realized by expanding a first laser beam using a microscope-objective and a first lens. The expanded light is then projected onto a first LCLV. Light reflecting from the first LCLV is filtered, focused onto a diaphram, polarized, and directed along a path that is around two meters in length. The light is then split into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam is focused onto an optical fiber bundle which is connected to the first LCLV. One end of the optical fiber bundle is rotated with respect to the other end. The second beam is projected upon a second LCLV. A second laser beam is expanded and projected onto a LCTV. The image is provided to the LCTV. The LCTV image is projected onto, and modulated by the second LCLV.

Abstract: By using a ferroelectric liquid crystal light valve having a hydrogenated amorphous silicon photoconductive layer, a spatial light modulator may be driven by a method comprising the sequential application of successive pulse voltages of selective amplitude, polarity and duration to cause the spatial light modulator to manifest a second threshold level suitable for application of the device in Boolean processing applications and Fourier image processing.