Electro-optical behavior of an integrated device based on a liquid crystal waveguide

The integrated optical devices represent the most innovative result of the research in the photonics field. New horizons can be open by introduction of new materials and advanced techniques. The applications depend on the properties of the considered materials and their response times to external applied field. In this article we present an integrated device in a three-stage planar waveguide, having as middle stage a nematic liquid crystal film. We studied the device performance with TE polarized input light. By a proper choice of the material parameters and of the driving voltages we got time response in the microsecond range. Our experimental results confirm the possibility of employing such a device working as optical switch and/or beam deflector. A further analysis is in progress in order to explain an anomalous electro-optical behavior occurred for higher applied voltages.