Brandon, early in his studies, undertook investigations of the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), a projection display device consisting of an array of micromirrors which each rotate between binary ‘on’ and ‘off’ landed states. The binary functionality of the DMD has been used for many applications, including 3D printing, optical communication switches, and optical displays. Under his advising professor, Yuzuru Takashima, Brandon and his teammates demonstrated a non-binary mode of the DMD, functioning as an analog sweeping mirror—a concept antithetical to the industry’s 30+ years of DMD development. Brandon defined the technique and optical design necessary to achieve simultaneous Angular and Spatial Light Modulation (ASLM, in contrast to the “Spatial Light Modulator”) for pixel-addressable beam steering. Through his Ph.D., Brandon explored the new solution space in optical design unlocked by this new DMD-based degree-of-freedom.

The team’s first application of this new degree-of-freedom was as a beam steering device for Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), but Brandon was most fascinated with the implications for display devices, such as unprecedented pixel counts and AR/VR headset form factors. Brandon and his team discovered a completely new, incredibly powerful degree-of-freedom hidden inside a commercially available device that had 30+ years of development. Brandon is now actively researching manipulations of degrees-of-freedom in other projects as well.

Brandon's work across several applications has had a common directive: combine degrees-of-freedom in new ways to push systems beyond current limitations—sometimes by inventing entirely new degrees-of-freedom—to achieve unprecedented results. His research at the University of Arizona, four internships, and personal business research have positioned him to make high-impact, long-term contributions in the field of optical design.

Note: For those interested in Brandon's experience and advice in applying for scholarship/fellowships, please see his Nov. 2017 article, Spotlight on Brandon Hellman - ARCS Foundation and the NDSEG Fellowship .