Abstract

We present what is to our knowledge a novel technique for efficient suppression of the zero-order beam inherent in light patterns projected via phase-only computer-generated holograms (CGHs). Encoding a CGH on a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a limited fill factor produces a disturbing zero-order beam at the optical axis. Here, we propose to derive a CGH, which includes holographic information to project a corrective beam that destructively interferes with the zero-order beam. The CGH for projecting arbitrary light patterns plus a corrective beam are derived using the Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm where the iterations impose both amplitude and phase constraints for the target field pattern at the Fourier plane. As proof of principle, we analyze the viability of the technique by simulating the performance when applied on a practical SLM with a limited fill factor, fixed number of phase-shifting pixels, and wavefront distortion associated with the surface roughness of the SLM.

© 2007 Optical Society of America

Elimination of a zero-order beam induced by a pixelated spatial light modulator for holographic projection

Hao Zhang, Jinghui Xie, Juan Liu, and Yongtian Wang
Appl. Opt. 48(30) 5834-5841 (2009)

Suppression of the zero-order diffracted beam from a pixelated spatial light modulator by phase compression

Jinyang Liang, Sih-Ying Wu, Fredrik K. Fatemi, and Michael F. Becker
Appl. Opt. 51(16) 3294-3304 (2012)

Effect of spurious diffraction orders in arbitrary multifoci patterns produced via phase-only holograms

Darwin Palima and Vincent Ricardo Daria
Appl. Opt. 45(26) 6689-6693 (2006)

Redistribution of the zero order by the use of a phase checkerboard pattern in computer generated holograms

Damon W. K. Wong and George Chen
Appl. Opt. 47(4) 602-610 (2008)

LCoS nematic SLM characterization and modeling for diffraction efficiency optimization, zero and ghost orders suppression

Emiliano Ronzitti, Marc Guillon, Vincent de Sars, and Valentina Emiliani
Opt. Express 20(16) 17843-17855 (2012)