Multi-color complex spatial light modulation with a single digital micromirror device

Spatial light modulators enabling complex light field manipulation has opened up many opportunities in biomedical imaging, holographic display, and adaptive optics. However, traditional spatial light modulators do not allow multi-color operations simultaneously due to their physical constraints, while multi-color modulations are highly desirable in many applications. To overcome this limitation, we demonstrate a multi-color spatial complex light field modulation with a single binary hologram on digital micromirror devices (DMD). This method combines several neighboring micro-mirror pixels into a giant single superpixel, in which the light field's amplitude and phase can be individually determined by internal pixel combinations, and the dynamic range of phase modulation can exceed 2 & pi; for the single wavelength. As a result, this extra phase modulation range offers an additional degree of freedom for independent multi-wavelength light modulation. Based on this scheme, multi-color light modulations have been demonstrated in a 2D plane as well as in multiple 3D holographic planes. Moreover, a dual-colored Airy beam has been realized using the same technique. These results bring complex light modulation into a multi-color regime, paving the way for practical applications in information display, imaging, and optical trapping.

Automated summary

Spatial light modulators have enabled complex light field manipulation in various fields, but traditional modulators have limitations in multi-color operations. In this study, we demonstrate a multi-color spatial complex light field modulation using a single binary hologram on digital micromirror devices. By combining neighboring micro-mirror pixels into a superpixel, we achieve independent control of the light field's amplitude and phase, with a phase modulation range exceeding 2π for a single wavelength. This approach enables multi-color light modulations in 2D and 3D holographic planes, as well as the realization of a dual-colored Airy beam.