Liquid crystal phase modulator on integrated optical circuit

摘要

An inclusion of the liquid crystal in the direct vicinity of the core of an optical waveguide structured on a substrate allows to build a tunable optical device. The liquid crystal will be confined by replacing cladding material of that integrated structure. The tuning of the property of that liquid crystal i.e. its refractive index will influence directly the mode index of the core. This influence can be of such amount to allow to control the flow of optical signals transmitted through it. The tuning is advantageously achieved by applying some electric field via electrode on a segment of that core confined with liquid crystals.