Highly sensitive liquid crystal optically addressed spatial light modulator for infrared-to-visible image up-conversion

A liquid crystal optically addressed spatial light modulator based on an InGaAs photodiode array operating at low light levels is investigated in the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectral band to serve as a SWIR-to-visible imaging upconversion device. It consists of InGaAs/InP heterojunction pho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics letters 2019-03, Vol.44 (5), p.1269-1272
Main Authors: Solodar, Asi, Manis-Levy, Hadar, Sarusi, Gabby, Abdulhalim, Ibrahim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arrays
Heterojunctions
Indium phosphides
Infrared imagery
Light levels
Liquid crystals
Luminous intensity
Photodiodes
Product development
Spatial light modulators
Substrates
Upconversion
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Summary:A liquid crystal optically addressed spatial light modulator based on an InGaAs photodiode array operating at low light levels is investigated in the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectral band to serve as a SWIR-to-visible imaging upconversion device. It consists of InGaAs/InP heterojunction photodetectors array sandwiched with a nematic LC layer. The photodiode array is composed of a 640×512  InGaAs/Inp heterojunctions, grown on InP substrate with a 15 μm pitch. Full up-converted visible images in stills and video modes were demonstrated with SWIR light intensities as low as 70  nW/cm or less than pW/pixel. The influence of operation frequency on the performance of the device was found theoretically and experimentally to be crucial for a proper operation of the device. The optimum sensitivity and contrast of the device was found at a frequency around 70 Hz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that such a high performance upconversion device is presented and that actual visible images are obtained.
ISSN:0146-9592
1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/OL.44.001269