LCD Projectors, Holography, and Fourier Optics Complete Explanation with Demonstration
Dr. Jacob Hudis (acephysics.org) teams up with his friend and Columbia University classmate, Paul from SymmetryOptics.com, to explore the fascinating world of holography and optical projection. In this video, Paul—an optics expert who has built a full optics lab at home—takes apart a standard LCD projector to explain how linear polarizers work and how to build your own DIY Spatial Light Modulator (SLM). He contrasts this DIY setup with a demonstration of an expensive, professional-grade SLM, providing a hands-on understanding of holographic projection and the Fourier optics behind it.
Throughout the video, we break down essential concepts like polarization, Fourier transforms of light, and the principles of holography. Paul also gives a detailed tutorial on decomposing an LCD projector to create a budget-friendly SLM for your own optical experiments.
Paul’s website, SymmetryOptics.com, is dedicated to innovative optics projects and resources for students, hobbyists, and researchers interested in holography, polarization optics, and DIY optical engineering. If you’re curious about cutting-edge optics and how to build your own optical devices, this video is a must-watch!