Tunable Channel Drop Filter in a Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Modulated by a Nematic Liquid Crystal

摘要

Photonic crystals (PCs) have many potential applications becauseof their ability to control light-wave propagation and becausePC-based waveguides may be integrated into optical circuits. Wepropose a novel tunable PC channel drop filter based on nematicliquid crystals and investigate its properties numerically byusing the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The refractive indices of liquid crystals can be actively modulatedafter infiltrating nematic liquid crystals into the microcavity inPC waveguides with square lattices. Then we can control lightpropagation in a PC waveguide. We analyze theQ-factors andresonance frequencies of a tunable PC channel drop filter byconsidering various indices modulation of liquid crystals. Thenovel component can be used as wavelength division multiplexing inphotonic integrated circuits.