Magnetically tunable liquid crystal terahertz switch based on Bragg fiber

Abstract

A novel magnetically tunable liquid crystal terahertz switch is designed to reduce the coupling loss. The main structure of the switch is the hollow-core Bragg fiber with its cladding constructed by periodically setting of high density polyethylene and nematic liquid crystal E7 The refractive index of the E7 can be changed by the application of outside magnetic field and thus alter the loss property of the Bragg fiber dramatically to achieve its function as a switch. The main advantage of this switch is that it can eliminate the loss of coupling with fibers,and what is more,this switch can select the basic mode and is easy to be controlled. This article uses the finite element method to obtain the parameter of the switch and the simulated value of the extinction ratio reaches 2634 dB.