LCOS holographic microdisplay uses fast CMOS backplane
Researchers in Germany have developed a compact liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplay with high refresh rates that enables improved optical modulation for holographic displays.
The fast CMOS backplane developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) is helping Holoeye Photonics develop the microdisplay with a a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels and a pixel size of 2.5 µm and high speed spacial light modulation (SLM).
The integration of a complete framebuffer and a high-speed interface to the pixel matrix enables a data transfer rate of up to 576 Gbit/s to the pixel array.
LCOS microdisplays are characterized by their low power consumption, small size, and lightweight design. They are used in switchable adaptive optics, particularly as phase modulators, and as projection displays in augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR). Phase modulators, also known as spatial light modulators (SLMs), are used in biological imaging and microscopy, among other applications, for wavefront correction and beam shaping.
“With the backplane generation from IPMS, we can realize compact micro-SLMs and specifically address applications with requirements for a small form factor,” said Matthias Verworn from Holoeye. “The very small pixel size enables larger diffraction angles, while the fast interface supports high clock rates and flexible, application-specific display addressing options.”
As well as holographic augmented reality displays, the technology can be used for optogenetics for structured photostimulation of neurons, as well as in quantum optics and quantum computing.
“The backplane architecture of our compact LCOS microdisplay significantly expands the possibilities for light modulation and far exceeds existing refresh rates. This is enabled by the integration of a complete framebuffer and a high-speed interface to the pixel matrix, achieving a data transfer rate of up to 576 Gbit/s to a pixel array with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels and a pixel size of 2.5 µm,” said Philipp Wartenberg, Head of IC and System Design at Fraunhofer IPMS.
Holoeye plans to launch the first products with this LCOS light modulator in early 2026
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