Comparison of generalized phase contrast and computer generated holography for laser image projection.

Laser projection based on phase modulation promises several advantages over amplitude modulation. We examine and compare the merits of two phase modulation techniques; phase-only computer generated holography and generalized phase contrast, for the application of dynamic laser image projection. We adopt information theory as a guiding framework and analyze information-relevant metrics such as space-bandwidth product, output display resolution, efficiency, speckle noise, computational load and device requirements. The analysis takes into account the perspective of potential end-users.