Orientational control of light propagation in liquid crystal waveguides

摘要

A new method of light propagation control in planar waveguides filled by nematic liquid crystals is reported. Permanent deviation has been achieved by light induced reorientation of a selected area of dye-doped liquid crystal cells. Reversible deviation has been achieved by inducing Bragg reflection on the excited mode of the waveguide. The Bragg diffraction grating is produced by the liquid crystal itself, using short-pitch interleaved electrodes.