Development Of Heat-Assisted High Speed Moslm In Broadband Wavelength

Recently magneto-optic spatial light modulators (MOSLMs) using magnetic garnet materials have advantages of high switching speed. However, these materials are difficult to be used in short wavelength range, so that it appears huge light absorption by magneto optic effect of transmittance mode (Faraday effect). This problem can be solved by using the materials of metal magnetic films for magneto optic effect of reflection mode (Kerr effect). We suggest the new method, which is the switching of pixels by heating the pixels with semiconductor laser until Curie temperature and changing the direction of the driving current at the same time, for developing high speed MOSLM in broadband using amorphous TbFe films. TbFe films were fabricated by RF sputtering using the Tb(21)Fe(79)target, and we have confirmed Kerr rotation (over 0.4 degree from 400nm to 800 in wavelength), the curie temperature (130 degree Celsius), and the switching of pixels of 16 mu m x 16 mu m by heating the pixels with semiconductor laser and controlling magnetization from external bias magnetic field (15Oe) and driving current (20mA) of coil at 403, 532 and 633nm wavelength.