Photonics Devices Based on Hybrid Approach Combining Liquid Crystals and Sol-Gel Waveguides

ABSTRACT

A number of integrated electro-optic devices based on hybrid technology combining liquid crystals and sol-gel waveguide are investigated. An integrated electro-optic switch, based on ferroelectric liquid crystal waveguides, is experimentally characterized. Moreover an electro-optical switch and a continuously tunable filter, based on a Bragg grating in planar waveguide with a liquid crystal overlayer, are numerically analyzed. Finally, an optical multimode interference router is theoretically and numerically discussed. The principal advantages of such devices include good performances, low power consumption, low cost and small device size.

Keywords:

• integrated optics
• electro-optic devices
• liquid crystal devices
• bragg grating
• multi-mode interference effect
• optical switch
• optical tunable filter
• routing devices