Tunable all optical switch implemented in a liquid crystal filled dual-core photonic crystal fiber

Abstract

We propose an all optical switch in a dual-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) that has the core region consisting of soft glass and has nematic liquid crystal filled holes in the cladding region. Light waves are guided in this PCF by total internal reflection (TIR) due to the refractive index contrast between soft glass and liquid crystal (LC). Its wavelength dependent coupling, birefringence and dispersion are calculated and later use these parameters to evaluate the switching characteristics of short pulses propagating through this optical waveguide. The switch demonstrates tunability with external perturbation such as applying external heat source or electric field. Refractive index sensitivity of LC with these perturbation as well as polarization of the light signal determines the coupling, birefringence and dispersion properties of the overall waveguide and its switching characteristics.