May 23, 2025

Santec AOC Announces “SLM-310”, an LCOS-type Spatial Light Modulator for 1kW-class Near-Infrared Laser Processing

Santec AOC Corporation (Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture; hereinafter “Santec AOC”) has announced the development of a new product, the SLM-310. The SLM-310 is a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS)-based spatial light modulator capable of withstanding 1kW class laser sources and covering the near infrared (1 µm band) spectrum. Designed for advanced industrial applications such as metal 3D printing and precision laser processing, this product combines highly reliable LCOS technology with a newly developed liquid crystal material with excellent power-handling performance.

A new option for near-infrared laser processing

Near-infrared lasers are widely used in material processing such as metals and resins. The new spatial light modulator “SLM-310” contributes to improving accuracy, improving processing efficiency, and suppressing thermal effects on materials, especially in metal processing. By installing it in laser processing machines for welding, drilling, cutting, etc., and in metal 3D printer devices, more precise processing can be achieved.

The SLM-310 supports advanced laser processing that was not possible with conventional galvanometer scanner technology. It provides new added value to metal additive manufacturing (3D printing) through beam shaping and multi-point laser irradiation with a 1kW class laser.

Product Overview and Development Background

Reflective LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) spatial light modulators (SLMs) can freely control the phase of light, enabling a variety of optical operations such as beam deflection and beam shape transformation. We previously developed LCOS-SLMs with 500W power-handling capability, but metal processing applications require even higher power-handling performance. For this reason, our newly developed SLM-310 is equipped with a water-cooling system and is designed to support a maximum laser output of 1kW. This is twice the power-handling performance of our previous products. This new product will significantly expand the applicability of SLMs in high-power applications.

• High resolution: WUXGA standard (1920 × 1200), 2.3 million pixels
• High phase resolution: 10 bit (1024 gray levels) which is 4 times better than other companies' 8 bit (256 gray levels)
• Customization available: Our unique SLM design allows customization according to your needs

Expected Effectiveness of Spatial Light Modulators in Metal Processing

• Improved machining accuracy
  The spatial light modulator can dynamically control the beam profile, enabling high-precision processing. In the manufacturing of fine structures and complex metal parts, the SLM-310 achieves precision not achievable by traditional methods, enabling the stable production of high-quality parts.
• High-speed processing and beam shaping for efficiency
  The SLM-310 can instantly adjust the laser beam pattern, significantly shortening processing times. By using donut and ring beams, speed is increased while minimizing unnecessary heat input, improving processing efficiency.
• Simultaneous irradiation of multiple points and areas
  The spatial light modulator can split a single laser beam into multiple points and apply different patterns to each one simultaneously, allowing multiple areas to be processed at once, shortening takt times and significantly increasing overall productivity.
• Minimizing the thermal effects on materials
  The SLM-310 precisely controls the distribution of laser energy to focus heat only where it is needed. This targeted energy delivery reduces spatter, improves quality, and eases post-processing. It also helps maintain the quality of temperature-sensitive materials.

Spatial Light Modulator “SLM-310” Main Specifications

The SLM-310 is expected to begin taking orders in 2025.