Rapid phase calibration of a spatial light modulator using novel phase masks and optimization of its efficiency using an iterative algorithm

We develop an improved phase calibration method of a reflective SLM using interferometry by employing novel phase masks. In the process, we definitively determine the actual maximum phase throw of our SLM which provides a recipe for users to verify supplier specifications. We generate optimised phase masks by using Iterative Fourier Transform Algorithm (IFTA) and compare their performance with global linear corrections in the look-up table (LUT) and find that the former perform with around 20% better efficiency. Besides obtaining an array of 1D/2D spots having high uniformity (90%) using IFTA, our result exemplifies the use of iterative algorithms for improving efficiency of phase limited SLMs. Finally, our improved phase calibration method enables threefold faster phase measurements, and to the best of our knowledge, is the first endeavour directed towards enabling rapid phase characterisation of an SLM using interferometric measurements. We believe that it can have very useful applications in settings which may require fast phase calibrations as well as for real-time, multi-wavelength spectroscopic applications.