Holographic projector

A holographic projector comprising:

• a processing engine arranged to output a computer-generated diffractive pattern defining a propagation distance to an image plane;
• a planar spatial light modulator arranged to display the computer-generated diffractive pattern;
• a light source arranged to illuminate the spatial light modulator at an angle of incidence (θ) greater than zero relative to a surface normal of the spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator is arranged to output spatially-modulated light on a propagation path having an axis so as to form a holographic reconstruction of the computer-generated diffractive pattern on the image plane;
• a screen arranged at the image plane to receive spatially-modulated light from the spatial light modulator, wherein the screen is arranged substantially parallel to the spatial light modulator such that the axis of the propagation path of the spatially-modulated light received from the spatial light modulator by the screen is at an angle of incidence (α) relative to a surface normal of the screen that is substantially equal to the angle of incidence (θ) of light from the light source on the spatial light modulator, and wherein the screen is separated from the spatial light modulator by the propagation distance along the axis of the propagation path defined by the computer-generated diffractive pattern,
• wherein the computer-generated diffractive pattern is one selected from the group comprising:
• the sum of a Fourier hologram and lens function corresponding to a lens having a focal length equal to the propagation distance;
• and a Fresnel hologram.