Systems and methods for digital laser projection with increased contrast using Fourier filter

A time-multiplexed modulator system for generating an image, comprising:

• a spatial light modulator configured to modulate, according to the image, time-multiplexed light into time-multiplexed modulated light forming a repeating sequence of first, second, and third modulated lights;
• a lens configured to spatially Fourier transform the time-multiplexed modulated light onto a Fourier plane;
• and
• a filter wheel positioned at the Fourier plane and comprising a plurality of optical filter masks, each of the optical filter masks being configured to filter a corresponding one of the first, second, and third modulated lights, as spatially Fourier-transformed by the lens, by transmitting at least one diffraction order of the corresponding one of the first, second, and third modulated lights, and blocking a remaining portion of the corresponding one of the first, second, and third modulated lights, the filter wheel being configured to rotate synchronously with the time-multiplexed modulated light such that each of the optical filter masks is positioned in the time-multiplexed modulated light at the Fourier plane when the time-multiplexed modulated light is the corresponding one of the first, second, and third modulated lights, wherein the first, second, and third modulated lights are red, green, and blue, respectively.