Abstract
Electrically switchable liquid crystal (LC) waveguide structures for spatial-polarization control of light waves become more and more widespread as optical components for waveguide photonics. The motivation of the work was to design and fabricate miniaturized, low-cost electrically switchable LC waveguides for spatial control of linearly polarized light beams. With the use of new configurations of the spatially modulated electric field applied to planar-aligned sandwich-type LC cells $(d=20\mu \mathrm{m}$ thick), the polarization-sensitive waveguide structures performing the functions of optical splitter and adder were designed and experimentally studied. The current-conducting glass substrates coated with patterned electrodes (splitter-shaped and adder-shaped chromium layers) were used to control the optical properties of LC waveguides by applying an external low-frequency (1 kHz) electrical voltage to the LC cell electrodes. The operation principle of the fabricated optical components is based on the effect of total internal reflection (TIR) of laser radiation from the electrically controlled refractive interface between LC areas with orthogonal director orientations. Optical components of this type look promising for the production of competitive low power consumption photonic devices with enhanced functional characteristics.
Highlights
Liquid crystal (LC) materials have found wide application in the field of designing and manufacturing optical devices whose operation principle is based on the manifestation of linear and nonlinear optical effects
LC director reorientation under the influence of an external spatially modulated electric field causes an increase of the effective refraction index in the core region of a LC waveguide splitter
The electrically switchable LC waveguide splitter enables one to implement the spatial control of laser beams as well as to realize the functions of the opticalpower divider
Summary
Liquid crystal (LC) materials have found wide application in the field of designing and manufacturing optical devices whose operation principle is based on the manifestation of linear and nonlinear optical effects. In order to solve both the research and applied problems of integrated optics, great attention has been devoted to the LC waveguide structures for routing of light waves in the visible and near infrared spectrum ranges [1–4]. Current topics in the field of optical LC waveguides cover a wide range of research problems related to: choice of optimal LC-materials; development of LC alignment technologies; design of new LC waveguide geometries; innovative methods to design and manufacture the LC waveguide optical components characterized by enhanced functional characteristics; simplification of the process of LC components integration into integrated optical circuits. This work deals with electrically switchable nematic LC waveguide structures providing controlled functions of transmission, splitting and multiplexing of linearly polarized light beams in the visible spectral range
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
