Single-Shot Phase Calibration of a Spatial Light Modulator using Geometric Phase Interferometry

Luke A. DeMars , Marta Mikuła-Zdańkowska , Konstantinos Falaggis , Rosario Porras-Aguilar

Abstract

A vibration-insensitive, single-shot phase-calibration method for phase-only spatial light modulators (SLM) is reported. The proposed technique uses a geometric phase lens to form a phase-shifting radial shearing interferometer to enable common-path measurements. This configuration has several advantages: (a) unlike diffraction-based SLM calibration techniques, this technique is robust against intensity errors due to misalignment; (b) unlike two-beam interferometers, this technique offers a high environmental stability; and (c) unlike intensity-based methods, the phase-shifting capability provides a phase uncertainty routinely in the order of 2𝜋/100. The experimental results show a significantly higher accuracy when compared to the diffraction-based approaches.