Open AccessLight-controllable photoresponsive liquid-crystal photonic crystal fiber
Author(s) -
Vincent K. S. Hsiao,
C. L. Ko
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.012670
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , photonic crystal fiber , liquid crystal , cladding (metalworking) , optoelectronics , refractive index , laser , optical fiber , light intensity , phase modulation , wavelength , phase noise , physics , metallurgy
We have developed all-optical modulation of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) by infiltrating photoresponsive liquid crystal (LC) into the voids within the cladding structure. The photo-induced phase transformation of the photoresponsive LC modulates the effective refractive index of the photoresponsive LC-filled cladding, thereby creating an environment of modifiable total internal reflection that tunes the output intensity of guided light upon the stimulus of optical field. The modulation range for the 632 nm wavelength is 10 dB and the response time for switching is less than 1 second by manually obstructing the pumping light path. In addition to altering the power of the pumping laser to actively tune the output intensity, the polarization direction of the pumping laser can also tune the output intensity by 5 dB.