Submicron Magneto-Optical Spatial Light Modulation Device for Holographic Displays Driven by Spin-Polarized Electrons

We have proposed a spin transfer switching (STS MO-SLM) device, based on Magneto-optical (MO) spatial light-modulation and driven by spin-polarized current flow, and confirmed its basic operation and characteristics experimentally. The proposed SLM device can be operated without active-matrix devices, has a spatial resolution as small as several hundred nanometers and possesses the potential for being driven at ultra-high speed of several tens of nanoseconds. Unlike existing SLM devices, this device satisfies both the size and speed requirements of SLMs for use in displaying holographic three-dimensional (3D) moving images. To improve the light modulation characteristics of SLM device, we carried out studies on magnetic films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy to obtain large magneto-optical signals, which enabled us to realize enhanced light modulation performance. In addition, we measured a MO signal that was about twenty-times larger than that possible with in-plane anisotropy. We conclude that the MO-SLM device that we are developing is suitable for displaying future super-high definition, holographic three-dimensional moving images.