Optimization for maximum modulation of a double-pass twisted nematic liquid crystal display

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple optimization method for double-pass twisted nematic liquid crystal displays that enhances modulation capabilities by considering polarizing elements and using exhaustive search for optimal alignment.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimization approach for double-pass setups that maximizes modulation by accounting for polarizer orientations and employs numerical simulation for optimal configuration.

Findings

Optimized polarizer orientations improve modulation performance.

The method enables independent modulation of two light properties.

Experimental results validate the simulation-based optimization approach.

Abstract

Spatial light modulators are widely used to perform modulations of different properties of the electromagnetic field. In this work, a simple optimization method for general double-pass setups was developed. It takes into account the involved polarizing elements and displays, and a numerical simulation based on an exhaustive search routine finds the optimal optical axes orientation of the polarizing elements for the desired modulation. By simultaneously considering both impingements, we are able to take full advantage of the modulation capabilities of the chosen spatial light modulators. In particular, different polarization modulations and complex amplitude modulations were studied for twisted nematic liquid crystal displays and passive linear optical elements. Examples for different optimization criteria are shown and compared with experimental results, supporting the feasibility of this approach. This method offers the possibility of independent modulation of two properties of the input light state, outperforming the use of a single screen.