Direction-sensitive soliton routing and all-optical waveguiding in orientation-modulated liquid crystals
Abstract
The research aims at investigating novel effects based on spatial optical solitons in nematic liquid crystals, a soft matter approach compatible with Liquid�Crystal�on�Silicon photonics. Nematic liquid crystals encompass a cubic�like nonlinear optical response in a reconfigurable liquid phase- their inherent anisotropy leads to birefringence with a tunable index of refraction as well as walk�off angle, supporting low�power spatial optical solitary waves, termed Nematicons. Nematicons are graded�index channel waveguides enabling the guided�wave propagation of signals of arbitrary wavelengths and format but co�polarized with the solitons themselves, i. e., extraordinary wave�packets. Using models specifically set up to describe nematicons in non�uniform samples, the research team will study power sensitive light localization and direction�dependent signal routing in orientation�modulated cells, where reorientation, uniaxial birefringent walk�off and soliton path can be tailored and exploited for communication�compatible signal processors, particularly spatial demultiplexers with (input) direction as well as power dependent response. Relying on numerical experiments with near�infrared light in realistic layouts, the research team will analyze direction�sensitive (i.e., forward, backward) nematicon excitation and waveguiding in samples with spatially modulated background orientation of the optic axis along either the propagation coordinate z, or the transverse coordinate y, or both, addressing nonlinear confinement and routing for operation in either input directions. The path separation for beams launched from opposite ends of the sample will be exploited in new types of soliton�based optical diodes or spatial isolators which do not rely on nonreciprocity as known in magneto�optic or active-resonant photonic systems
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 2024
- Source ID
- FA86552317026
Entities
People
- Gaetano Assanto
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- Università degli Studi Roma Tre