Optically addressed gray scale electric charge-accumulating spatial light modulator

An optical write valve comprising:

• an electro-optic layer;
• a backplane defining pixel locations of the electro-optic layer;
• a light source arranged in optical communication with the electro-optical layer;
• a controller coupled to a memory and adapted during a frame to sequentially and discontinuously apply a plurality of selected write cell voltages at a pixel location of an optical write valve, and after the pixel location achieves an optically stable state for each of the applied write cell voltages, to modulate the light source in accordance with the time at which the selected write cell voltages are applied.

A computer program embodied on a memory comprising computer readable instructions to perform actions directed toward emitting optical write light, the actions comprising, within a frame:

• applying a selected write cell voltage at a pixel location of an optical write valve;
• after the pixel location achieves an optically stable state, illuminating the pixel location with a modulated light source pulse so as to emit from the pixel location a write light pulse;
• directing the write light pulse to a localized portion of an electro-optic layer of an optical read light valve;
• and
• sequentially repeating the applying, illuminating and directing for a plurality of selected write cell voltages and modulated light source pulses.