Propagation characteristics of optical fibers are greatly dependent on materials, which the guides are comprised of. Varieties of materials have been developed and investigated for their usage in fabricating optical fibers for specific applications. Within the context, a liquid crystal medium is both inhomogeneous and optically anisotropic, and fibers made of such mediums are greatly useful. Also, liquid crystals exhibit strong electro-optic behavior, which allows alternation in their optical properties under the influence of external electric fields. These features make liquid crystal fibers greatly important for optical applications. The present communication is aimed at providing a glimpse of the efficacy of liquid crystals and/or fibers made of liquid crystals, followed by the analytical investigation of wave propagation through such guides. The sustainment of modes is explored in these fibers under varying fiber dimensions, and the novelty is discussed. The case of tapered liquid crystal fibers is also briefly discussed highlighting the usefulness. Control on the dispersion characteristics of such fibers may be imposed by making the guide even more complex; the possibility of devising such options is also touched upon.

Date Published: 19 September 2013
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 8818, Nanostructured Thin Films VI, 88180E (19 September 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2025777

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8818:
Nanostructured Thin Films VI
Tom G. Mackay; Akhlesh Lakhtakia; Yi-Jun Jen; Motofumi Suzuki, Editor(s)