This technology is a light source that provides illumination with a tunable spectrum and polarization state using a single spatial light modulator. Compared to current tunable light sources, this system offers high power and a wide spectrum. Furthermore, the polarization state of each spectrum can be adjusted as needed without the requirement of an additional spatial light modulator. Background: Tunable light sources are an emerging technology that have gained importance in a range of industries, including biomedicine, materials science, and semiconductors, among others. The ability to tune the wavelength or spectrum of light has become crucial for various applications, including fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, and photolithography. Traditional light sources such as incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps are typically fixed in their spectral output, which limits their usefulness in many scientific and industrial applications. To address this limitation, tunable light sources have been developed that offer greater flexibility and precision in spectral output. One approach to creating tunable light sources involves using a spatial light modulator (SLM), which allows for adjusting the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light. SLMs are typically composed of an array of small pixels that can be electronically controlled to manipulate the light passing through them. By programming the SLM, one can generate a desired spectrum or wavelength of light.
The innovation is one example of a tunable light source that uses a single SLM to provide a wide range of spectral output and polarization states. By doing so, the system’s costs and complexity are reduced while its efficiency and versatility are increased. In the innovation’s case, the benefits are enhanced because no additional parts are required to alter the polarization state. Applications:
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