Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Optical Interconnect Switching Systems

Abstract

This grant explored the possible use of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC's) in the reamization of photonic switching fabrics. Problems addressed included device fabrication, switch architectures, and switch performance. Experimental versions of most architectures were constructed. The aim of the contract was to develop techniques for using ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC's) for novel photonic switching architectures. Initial work was devoted to mastering the technology of making FLC polarization rotation shutters, which formed the basis for the switching architecture work to follow. Much of this work was performed using the facilities of Stanford's Center for Integrated Systems. We were able to build such shutters with respectable properties, including reasonable uniformity, an insertion losses of the order X dB and extinction ratios of the order of Y db. Switching speeds observed were the order of ZZZ. Having mastered the basic shutter technology, we moved on to employing such shutters in novel architectures.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 26, 1993
Accession Number
ADA263751

Entities

People

  • Joseph W. Goodman

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Contracts
  • Crystals
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Insertion Loss
  • Integrated Systems
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Losses
  • Materials
  • Military Research
  • Optical Interconnects
  • Optical Switching
  • Refractive Index
  • Switches
  • Switching
  • Theses

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.