Abstract
We desire to simulate in the laboratory the speckle fields that would be produced by laser light scattered off of rough surfaces. We are investigating the ability of liquid crystal spatial light modulators to simulate under electronic control the statistical properties of speckle fields. Characteristics of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator, including temporal response, spatial correlation, and discreteness in phase modulation will affect the ability to accurately simulate arbitrary speckle fields. In the work reported here we describe that status of characterization of two types of liquid crystal modulators. The method for accomplishing this characterization is described.
