Dispersion properties of liquid crystal core photonic crystal fibers calculated by a multipole method modified for anisotropic inclusions

Abstract

Temperature dependence of the dispersion properties of liquid crystal core photonic crystal fibers with large air fraction in clads between 300 and 2000nm for different core diameters have been calculated by a multipole method, which is modified to treat anisotropic inclusions rigorously. In calculations, air holes are assumed to be arranged in a regular hexagonal array in fused silica and a central hole is filled with liquid crystal to create a core. Below the clearing point temperature, the liquid crystal molecules are assumed to be oriented parallel to the cylindrical axis of the holes, where the liquid crystal is highly anisotropic. The large changes of the dispersion properties are found at the clearing point temperature, where the liquid crystal becomes isotropic.