Integrated optics using smectic and nematic liquid crystals

In this paper two practical technological approaches are presented to demonstrate that liquid crystals can be employed to make low cost integrated optic devices with characteristics required for optical communication systems. In a first approach ferroelectric and nematic liquid crystals are combined with ion-exchanged glass waveguides to produce high performing optical switches. A polarization independent configuration of such switches is also shown. In a second approach nematic liquid crystals are embedded in SiO2/SiV-grooves to produce channel waveguides. Modal and polarization properties of such novel liquid crystal waveguides are experimentally demonstrated.