Linear and nonlinear properties of photonic crystal fibers filled with nematic liquid crystals

Abstract

We investigate linear and nonlinear light propagation in the photonic crystal fibers infiltrated with nematic liquid crystals. Such a photonic structure, with periodic modulation of refractive index, which could be additionally controlled by the temperature and by the optical power, allows for the study of discrete optical phenomena. Our theoretical investigations, carried out with the near infrared wavelength of 830 nm, for both focusing and defocusing Kerr-type nonlinearity, show the possibility of the transverse light localization, which can result in the discrete soliton generation. In addition, we present the preliminary experimental results on the linear light propagation in the photonic crystal fiber with the glycerin-water solution and 6CHBT nematics, as the guest materials.

Nonlinear effects in photonic crystal fibers filled with nematic liquid crystals

“…Moreover, the character of the light propagation in the analyzed structure can be controlled by modification of the geometrical parameters of the PCF host structure (i.e. the holes' size and pitch), by variation of the initial waist of the beam [22,23] or by change of the optical parameters of the infiltrated guest material (i.e. refractive indices or birefringence of NLCs) [4-6, 22, 23].…”

Methodology of splicing large air filling factor suspended core photonic crystal fibres

“…Although strongly demanded, such splices are still one of the fundamen− tal issues for realistic PCF applications due to the completely different inner structure of SMFs and small core and/or large air filling factor PCFs which are considered for different appli− cations, such as gas and liquid spectroscopy [1], surface−plas− mon−resonance [2], nonlinear exploitation [3][4][5], sensors [6] including hybrid system PCFs air−holes filled with liquid crystal [7][8][9], fibre lasers [10] and others.…”

Modeling of light propagation in photonic liquid crystal fibers

“…due to the existence of the photonic bandgap), as well as in the region of infiltrated holes, and moreover, the mechanism of light propagation can be switched by modification of NLC refractive indices [7]. The latter may be achieved thermally, by applying external (electric or magnetic) fields, or by increasing optical power [8][9]. In particular, when the refractive index of an infiltrating material is higher than the one of the silica surround, the analyzed PLCFs with a spatial periodicity of refractive index distribution may be considered as a matrix of waveguide channels.…”

“…In particular, when the refractive index of an infiltrating material is higher than the one of the silica surround, the analyzed PLCFs with a spatial periodicity of refractive index distribution may be considered as a matrix of waveguide channels. This architecture, analogical to a multi-core optical fiber, allows for discrete light propagation [8][9][10].…”