All-optical switch based on liquid-crystal infiltrated photonic bandgap fiber in transverse configuration

J. Tuominen; H. J. HoffrÃ©n; H. Ludvigsen

doi:10.2971/jeos.2007.07016

Journal of the European Optical Society - Rapid publications, Vol 2 (2007)

All-optical switch based on liquid-crystal infiltrated photonic bandgap fiber in transverse configuration

J. Tuominen, H. J. HoffrÃ©n, H. Ludvigsen

Abstract

We demonstrate optically controlled switching in a photonic bandgap fiber filled with liquid crystal using transverse coupling geometry. Fiber samples made from silica and lead silicate are studied. For the latter one, a continuous and fairly flat operating range from 600 to 1700 nm was achieved. The insertion loss was 3 dB and the extinction ratio better than 20 dB.

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