Fast optical phase modulation is at the heart of groundbreaking technologies, opening doors to new possibilities in communication, imaging, and display systems. Yet, progress in this field is being held back by the challenge of high driving voltages. Ferroelectric liquid crystals stand out for their rapid response times, but they come with hurdles like optical non-uniformity, poor contrast, binary operations, and other experimental artifacts. In this project, students will dive deep into the science of fast-switchable ferroelectric crystals, pushing the limits of what these materials can do for spatial light modulators (SLMs). As the project evolves, students will have the chance to pioneer real-world applications, from advancing AR/VR experiences to enabling next-generation phase modulation in optical communications and data centers.