Optical Signal Processing with Discrete Waveguide Arrays in Nematic Liquid Crystals
Abstract
This report results from a contract tasking NooEL, University Roma Tre as follows: INTRODUCTION and TECHNICAL PROPOSAL The development of integrated guided-wave microsystems requires a novel paradigm for an advanced technology aimed at the realization of coupled waveguide arrays with tight tolerances and tailored channel-to-channel coupling, both of which need be electrically tuned through the application of an external voltage. Such innovation is at hand by the use of nematic liquid crystals, offering precise control of geometric and material parameters to the required extent. Such material has shown great potentials for the fabrication of voltage-tunable waveguide arrays with bias-controlled confinement and transverse (evanescent tall) coupling, exhibiting discrete light propagation and discrete tight localization in the form of discrete spatial solitons. In addition, these discrete systems encompass the possibility of all-optically angle steering of the light beam and the information it carries, paving the way to a number of promising applications in optical signal processing, from spatial demultiplexing to network readdressing and reconfiguring, especially in the presence of defects. In addition, the inclusion of active dye molecules in liquid crystalline materials has been proven to permit light amplification by external optical pumping. Such opportunity, readily available in the same material system, could allow for the first demonstration of discrete light propagation and localization in dissipative systems with gain, never reported before and of the utmost interest for applications such as communications, where insertion losses are an issue and device cascadability an important requirement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA536946
Entities
People
- Gaetano Assanto
Organizations
- Università degli Studi Roma Tre