Programmable axial apodizing and hyperresolving amplitude filters with a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator.

Amplitude-transmitting filters for apodizing and hyperresolving applications can be easily implemented by use of a two-dimensional programmable liquid-crystal spatial light modulator operating in a transmission-only mode. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. This approach can permit the analysis of various filter designs and can allow the filters to be changed rapidly to modify the response of an optical system.