On the conducting sheath double-helix loaded liquid crystal optical fibers

Abstract

This work presents analysis of wave propagation in a rather new type of three-layer optical fiber wherein the outermost region being composed of radially anisotropic liquid crystal, and conducting sheath helix loadings exist at the core–inner clad as well as the inner clad–outer liquid crystal clad interfaces. The fiber structure offers two-way control on wave propagation through it. Focus is, however, made on the wave confinements in fiber due to the helix structures, as characterized by the respective pitch angles. Specific values of helix pitch angles at the two layer interfaces are taken into account, and the confinement patterns are analyzed. The dominant property of sheath helix structure over confinement patterns is quite an obvious fact. Clearly, the helix pitch angle greatly controls over the power confinement characteristics, which can be altered upon suitable adjustments of helical windings. Treatments have been made to illustrate the power patterns in all possible scenarios for critical pitch variations in each layer interface.

Keywords:

• twisted clad fibers
• complex optical microstructures
• EM wave propagation

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the anonymous reviewer for pointing out the errors and suggestions to enhance the quality of manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are thankful to the Ministry of Higher Education (Malaysia) for financially supporting the work.