Aberration production using a high-resolution liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

Phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulators can provide a powerful means of wavefront control. With high resolution and diffractive (modulo 2 pi) operation, they can accurately represent phase maps with a large dynamic range. Because of this, they are an excellent means of producing electrically controllable, dynamic, and repeatable aberrations. However, proper calibration is critical in achieving accurate phase maps. Consequently, several calibration methods from previous literature were considered. With simplicity and accuracy in mind, we selected one method for each type of necessary calibration and augmented one of the methods with a new step. Then using, our preferred calibration methods, we evaluated the performance of the spatial light modulator in the laboratory. We studied various phase maps using interferometry and atmospheric aberrations using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. All of these measurements show good agreement with theoretical expectations.