Wavelength-Variable Laser in a Hybrid Photonic Crystal Containing Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal

Abstract

We have investigated laser action in a hybrid photonic crystal (HPC) composed of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and dielectric multilayers. Single-mode laser action was observed in the HPC, which was based on a defect mode at the band edge of the FLC. The lasing threshold of the HPC became a thousandth lower than that of the simple FLC without the multilayers. The theoretical calculations of optical characteristics of the HPC and the simple FLC were performed, which was in good agreement with the experimental result. We have demonstrated tuning of the lasing wavelength by applying an electric field.

Keywords:

• ferroelectric liquid crystal
• laser action
• photonic crystal

Acknowledgments

This work is partially supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.