Tunability effects in photonic band gap structures infiltrated with liquid crystals

摘要

We have verified the electro-optical tunability of a 3D PBG structure made by infiltrating into a 3D periodic lattice a nematic liquid crystal. In particular the change in the orientation of the LC director field caused by the application of an external electric field can completely open or close the bandgap while for a significant tuning effect it is necessary to have an PBG structure having an opportune infiltration of liquid crystals.