Reconfigurable all-diffractive optical filters using phase-only spatial light modulators

We demonstrate a reconfigurable optical filter implemented using a phase-only two-dimensional liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator. To achieve this we utilize two different approaches leading to two different configurations in the modulator. The first one, based on a spatially patterned diffractive lens, permits us to obtain the desired spectrum along the optical axis and, in the second one, which is based on a generalized spectrometer, the desired spectrum is found outside of the optical axis. Experimental results show good agreement with the theory and indicate the validity of this technique. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America