Liquid-crystal electric tuning of a photonic crystal laser

An electrically tuned nematic liquid-crystal (LC) infiltrated photonic crystal (PC) laser is demonstrated. This PC laser represents an emerging class of nanoscale optical adaptive devices enabled by the convergence of nonlinear optical materials, electronics, and fluidics that promise increased functionality and utility over existing technologies. A LC cell is constructed by encasing the PC laser between two indium tin oxide glass plates, which serve as the modulating electrodes. Applying a voltage across the cell realigns the LC, modifies the laser cavity's optical path length, and blueshifts the lasing wavelength. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.