Coupling to modes of a near-confocal optical resonator using a digital light modulator

Digital micromirror devices (DMD) provide a robust platform with which to implement digital holography, in principle providing the means to rapidly generate propagating transverse electromagnetic fields with arbitrary mode profiles at visible and IR wavelengths. We use a DMD to probe a Fabry-Perot cavity in single-mode and near-degenerate confocal configurations. Pumping arbitrary modes of the cavity is possible with excellent specificity by virtue of the spatial overlap between the incident light field and the cavity mode. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America