White Paper

Executive Summary

This white paper presents examples of Spatial Light Modulator (SLMs) being used at universities and research institutes both in Japan and overseas. These researchers are leveraging the free control of optical wavefronts to achieve breakthroughs in diverse fields, including holography, quantum optics, and microscopic imaging. MIT is conducting quantum computing experiments using high-precision optical tweezers and wavefront control. Dr. Moussa N'Gom's team at RPI is using the SLM-200 to significantly increase the degree of freedom in wavefront control in optical design, contributing to the optimization of experimental conditions for studying electromagnetic interactions in materials. Researchers at Northwestern University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and Tianjin University are also using SLMs to advance advanced optical research, including high-dynamic-range holographic imaging, 3D displays, and micro- and nanoscale material processing. SLMs' flexibility, high resolution, and programmability directly contribute to improved experimental reproducibility and precision in academic research. These achievements demonstrate the steady penetration of SLM technology as an important element in next-generation optical research.