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Electrically Controlled Self-Focusing and Self-Localization in the Guided Channels.
Bing-Yau Huang1, Yi-Hsiu Wu1, Shuan-Yu Huang2,3
1Department of Physics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan.
Polymers
|November 14, 2019
Summary
This study shows liquid crystals (LCs) can create tunable optical guided channels. These channels enable electrically controlled beam coupling and self-focusing, ideal for integrated photonic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Materials Science
- Optoelectronics and Integrated Optics
Background:
- Liquid crystals (LCs) offer tunable optical properties.
- Developing compact and efficient optical components is crucial for integrated photonic circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the potential of liquid crystals (LCs) for creating small, simple, and tunable optical guided channels.
- To investigate electrically controllable beam coupling and self-focusing effects in LC-based optical channels.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of beam coupling modes in LC optical channels.
- Analysis of the influence of electrically controllable refractive index, incident position, and electrode design.
- Discussion of the dependence of beam polarization on self-focusing and coupling.
Main Results:
- Three distinct modes of beam coupling were achieved.
- Electrically controllable self-focusing and beam coupling effects were demonstrated.
- The role of beam polarization in these optical phenomena was analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Liquid crystals provide a versatile platform for developing tunable optical guided channels.
- The demonstrated electrically controllable self-focusing and beam coupling are highly promising for integrated photonic circuits.
