Linearly polarized lasing in one-dimensional hybrid photonic crystal containing cholesteric liquid crystal

Abstract

We have achieved single-mode laser action in a one-dimensional hybrid photonic crystal (HPC) containing cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) as a defect and experimentally investigated the polarization characteristics of the laser light. The laser light emitted from the HPC containing the CLC was linearly polarized, which was different from that of the simple CLC, despite the CLC being contained in this structure. We have theoretically calculated the optical propagation to justify the experimental result. The calculated result was in good agreement with the experimental result and showed the difference in optical characteristics between the simple CLC and the HPC containing the CLC. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.