We present sub-millisecond response time of liquid crystal light valves (LCLV), optically addressable spatial light modulators with a continuous photosensitive layer used to drive the orientation of a nematic LC layer. By using a LCLV with a Bi12SiO20 crystal as a photoconductor, we show that the voltage working point can be set close to the saturation of the optical response, providing a reduced molecular excursion and, correspondingly, a faster response time. With a small refractive index change but still detectable diffractive efficiency, the LCLV responds in a large frequency band. Phase gratings are observed at ~ kHz modulations. Applications include dynamic holography, biomedical imaging, turbulence correction and/or simulation, lidar applications.
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