Adaptive array illumination and structured light generated by spatial zero-order self-phase modulation in a Kerr medium

A novel proposal for implementing a simple, robust, and adaptive array illuminator is considered. The array illuminator provides a way of splitting a uniformly expanded laser beam into multiple bright spots that can be useful for illuminating arrays of photonic switching devices. Other illumination schemes generating so-called structured light are also proposed and analyzed.

Preliminary experimental results are demonstrated in a bacteriorhodopsin thin film.