Artifact-free holographic light shaping through moving acousto-optic holograms

Holographic light modulation is the most efficient method to shape laser light into well-defined patterns and is therefore the means of choice for many intensity demanding applications. During the last two decades, spatial light modulators based on liquid crystals prevailed among several technologies and became the standard tool to shape light holographically. But in the near future, this status might be challenged by acousto-optic deflectors. These devices are well known for their excelling modulation rates and high optical power resilience. But only few scattered precedents exist that demonstrate their holographic capabilities, despite the many interesting properties that they provide. We implemented a holographic acousto-optic light modulation (HALM) system, that is based on displaying holograms on acousto-optic deflectors. We found that this system can eliminate the ubiquitous coherent artifacts that arise in holography through the inherent motion of acousto-optic holograms. That distinguishes our approach from any other holographic modulation technique and allows to reconstruct intensity patterns of the highest fidelity. A mathematical description of this effect is presented and experimentally confirmed by reconstructing images holographically with unprecedented quality. Our results suggest that HALM promotes acousto-optic deflectors from highly specialized devices to full-fledged spatial light modulators, that can compete in a multitude of applications with LC-SLMs. Especially applications that require large optical output powers, high modulation speeds or accurate gray-scale intensity patterns will profit from this technology. We foresee that HALM may play a major role in future laser projectors and displays, structured illumination microscopy, laser material processing and optical trapping.

Automated summary

Acousto-optic deflectors, known for their high modulation rates and optical power resilience, may challenge liquid crystal spatial light modulators in holographic applications. A holographic acousto-optic light modulation system has been developed to eliminate coherent artifacts and achieve high fidelity intensity pattern reconstruction. This approach may elevate acousto-optic deflectors to compete with LC-SLMs in various applications requiring large optical powers, high modulation speeds, and accurate intensity patterns.