Video Rate Operation in High-Speed Smectic Liquid Crystal Light Modulator

Frequency characteristics in a smectic liquid crystal light modulator (SLCLM) for high-frequency (several MHz) and low driving voltage (±5 V) operation are investigated. The system configuration, necessary condition for optical communication, static characteristics and maximum operation frequency are discussed. Experimentally, static voltage versus output power characteristics without hysteresis and good high-frequency characteristics for operation at 1.3 MHz have been obtained. The experiment of optical transmission of full-color National Television System Committee (NTSC) video signal was successful for the first time.