Status Of The CCD-Addressed Liquid Crystal Light Valve

This paper discusses the present state of development of the Hughes charge-coupled-device-addressed liquid crystal light valve (CCD-LCLV). The device is based on the photo-activated silicon LCLV, and features a serial electrical input that is converted to a truly parallel optical output. The device can utilize both coherent and incoherent readout light sources, with a spectrum extending from the visible to the IR. The complete array has been activated, at serial data rates exceeding 6.5 MHz, corresponding to 100 Hz frame rates, using external drive electronics. Design limiting resolution has been observed, with up to 50:1 contrast ratios. Real-time video has been demonstrated. The CCD-LCLV is suitable for a range of applications, including adaptive optics and optical data processing systems.