We report on the investigation and characterization of an optically tunable filtering effect, observed in a waveguide grating made of alternated strips of photocurable polymer and a mixture of azo-dye-doped liquid crystal. The grating is sandwiched between two borosilicate glasses, one of which includes an ion-exchanged channel waveguide, which confines the optical signal to be filtered. Exposure to a low power visible light beam modifies the azodye molecular configuration, thus allowing the filtered wavelength to be tuned over a 6.6 nm range. Simulations of the filtering response are well described with our experimental findings. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America
Observation of tunable optical filtering in photosensitive composite structures containing liquid crystals
UMETON, Cesare Paolo
2011-01-01
Abstract
We report on the investigation and characterization of an optically tunable filtering effect, observed in a waveguide grating made of alternated strips of photocurable polymer and a mixture of azo-dye-doped liquid crystal. The grating is sandwiched between two borosilicate glasses, one of which includes an ion-exchanged channel waveguide, which confines the optical signal to be filtered. Exposure to a low power visible light beam modifies the azodye molecular configuration, thus allowing the filtered wavelength to be tuned over a 6.6 nm range. Simulations of the filtering response are well described with our experimental findings. (C) 2011 Optical Society of AmericaI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
