A phase spatial light modulator composed of a first liquid crystal cell and one or more additional liquid crystal cells. Each of the liquid crystal cells is positioned so that their extraordinary optical axis (N. sub.e) lies orthogonal to the next liquid crystal cell, and the group of cells is positioned along the optical axis of light emitted by an image source. The modulator, or scanner, thereby capable of steering substantially 100% of unpolarized light therethrough. The modulator intended for use within a display system additionally composed of an image source, driver/control circuitry and an optical magnification system. In operation, an external stimulus is applied, such as a voltage supplied by an external power source, thereby spatially changing the phase of light emitted therethrough. The scanning action enhances display resolution of the generated resultant image without an increase in the number of pixels of the image source.
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