Switchable Spatial Control of Linearly Polarized Light Based on a Liquid-crystal Optical Waveguide

This study reports a structure, based on a liquid-crystal (LC) core optical waveguide, for the switch -able spatial control of linearly polarized light. The refractive indices of both left and right isotropic clad-dings in the waveguide are between the two principal-axis indices of the nematic liquid crystal (NLC). Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed structure can be operated in transmission mode or as an attenuator by controlling the on and off states of the applied voltage, whether the initial excitation is transverse electric (TE) linearly polarized light or transverse magnetic (TM) linearly polarized light. The design can also be used as an integrated optical polarizer, since only one type of linearly polarized light is always permitted to pass through the core zone of the NLC optical waveguide.

Automated summary

This study presents a structure utilizing a liquid-crystal (LC) core optical waveguide for switchable spatial control of linearly polarized light. Both the left and right isotropic claddings in the waveguide have refractive indices between the two principal-axis indices of the nematic liquid crystal (NLC). Numerical simulations demonstrate that this structure can function as a transmission mode or attenuator by controlling the applied voltage, regardless of the initial excitation being transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) linearly polarized light. Additionally, this design can be used as an integrated optical polarizer, allowing only one type of linearly polarized light to pass through the core zone of the NLC optical waveguide.