Spatial light modulator for reduction of certain order light

Abstract

A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel minors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel minors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel minors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel minors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.