Tj. Chen et al., IN-LINE FIBER POLARIZATION SELECTOR AND INTENSITY MODULATOR, Molecular crystals and liquid crystals science and technology. Section A, Molecular crystals and liquid crystals, 304, 1997, pp. 415
Liquid-crystal-based fiber components that exploit the high birefringe
nce and electrooptic effect of liquid crystals, are versatile. A singl
e-mode fiber enclosed with planar-aligned liquid crystals is reported
on in this paper. The fiber was etched nearly to its core. The output
light was exercised through the evanescent field coupling between the
fiber and surrounding liquid crystals. To achieve an effective access
to the evanescent field, the etch depth was studied first. When the fi
ber was etched to 10-mu m diameter, obvious light leakage occurred. On
ce the electric field was switched on, the polarization selection and
intensity modulation were examined. A theoretical description of the o
ptical characteristics were also given.