Set of routines in Python used to control a Spatial Light Modulator. It is assumed that the SLM is connected to a secondary monitor.

Important!!! The code requires the following modules installed:

• opencv
• numpy
• (wxPython)
• (slmpy) (file that can be downloaded from Sébastien's POPOFF) page.

Note by C.A.: currently wxPython and slmpy are disabled for simulation only.

The file generates a phase mask for a LG beam with a charge specified by the user. The mask can be saved as a bmp file, displayed on the main monitor, or can be sent to the SLM.

To use the function, just write python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_SLM.py [options], where the options are the following:

• -c CHARGE sets the CHARGE of the LG beam.
• -w RADIUS use this option to put a circular mask centered in the screen center with radius RADIUS.
• -g PERIOD add a grating to the LG phase. The period in pixels is specified with the variable PERIOD.
• -s when added the image generated is sent to the SLM (by default the phase mask is not sent to the SLM).
• -m when added, the SLM correction mask provided by the manufacturer is applied to the phase mask.
• -b when added, the image of the phase mask is stored in the bmp file "LG_ch_CHARGE.bmp", where CHARGE is specified with the option -c.

The correction mask file has to be stored in the same folder as the python file. To change the mask file name, just change the line after the comment change 'correctionMaskFile' according to your correction mask file.

To exit, press 'q' after clicking on the 'phase mask' window.

• Use python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_SLM.py -c 10, to generate a phase mask (LG beam charge +10) that is shown only in the main screen.
• To save the image in a bmp file, use python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_SLM.py -c 10 -b. The file will be saved as LG_ch_10.bmp.
• To generate and send to the SLM a phase mask for a LG beam with charge -5, use python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_SLM.py -c -5 -m -s. Notice that the option -m specifies to use the correction mask provided by the manufacturer.

Program that splits the SLM into two equal regions and in each region generates a phase mask of an independent Laguerre Gauss beam with a CHARGE provided by the user.

The whole image is sent to the second monitor output where the SLM is connected. The mask generated is also shown in the main monitor in a small window.

To use the function, just write python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_split_SLM.py [options], where the options are the following:

• -c CHARGE sets the CHARGE of the LG beam. Two indices are required.
• -w RADIUS use this option to put a circular mask centered in the screen center with radius RADIUS.
• -g PERIOD add a grating to the LG phase. The period in pixels is specified with the variable PERIOD. Two indices are required.
• -s when added the image generated is sent to the SLM (by default the phase mask is not sent to the SLM).
• -m when added, the SLM correction mask provided by the manufacturer is applied to the phase mask.
• -b when added, the image of the phase mask is stored in the bmp file "LG_ch_CHARGE.bmp", where CHARGE is specified with the option -c.

The correction mask file has to be stored in the same folder as the python file. To change the mask file name, just change the line after the comment change 'correctionMaskFile' according to your correction mask file.

To exit, press 'q' after clicking on the 'phase mask' window.

• Use python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_split_SLM.py -c 10 -5, to split the screen into two regions | LG +10 | LG -5 |. In the left (right) region, a LG beam with charge +10 (-5) is displayed.
• To send to the image generated in the previous example to the SLM, just add -s at the end. That is python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_split_SLM.py -c 10 -5 -s
• To save a mask generated, use the command -m. The command python generate_Laguerre_Gauss_split_SLM.py -c 10 -5 -b. Saves the image in the bmp file LG_ch_chargeLeft_chargeRight.bmp; in this case LG_ch_10_-5.bmp.