Programmable volume photonics

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We propose to create an optically addressable volumetric spatial light modulator (SLM) that can be used to implement light based information processing. While existing SLMs use thin liquid crystal (LC) layers to create 2D phase modulation, our proposed device will consist of a bulk volume of LC material that will provide the 3D matrix for phase control. This would then be optically addressed using 3D shaped light in order to reconfigure the "program". We will dispense with the electronic driving, which is incompatible with the 3D geometry of the modulator, and instead use purely optical addressing. The 3D light fields required for this addressing will be created using a separate optical system. Novel methods will be needed to stabilise and control the bulk LC in ways that have not yet been implemented.