Reconfigurable multilevel phase holograms for optical switches

Author

Manolis, I.G. ; Wilkinson, T.D. ; Redmond, M.M. ; Crossland, W.A.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Eng., Cambridge Univ., UK

Volume

14

Issue

6

fYear

2002

fDate

6/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

801

Lastpage

803

Abstract

A way of dynamically encoding polarization-insensitive multilevel phase holograms using nematic liquid crystals is presented. The method, using a quarter wave plate and a mirror, allows the optical efficiency of a free space single-mode fiber-to-fiber switch to be greatly enhanced. The validity of the approach has been verified experimentally by observing the power diffracted in the /spl plusmn/1 orders of a nematic liquid crystal grating as a function of input polarization and applied voltage.

Keywords

electro-optical switches; holographic gratings; liquid crystal devices; mirrors; nematic liquid crystals; optical fibres; optical polarisers; phase modulation; applied voltage; diffracted power; dynamical encoding; free space single-mode fiber-to-fiber switch; input polarization; mirror; nematic liquid crystal grating; nematic liquid crystals; optical efficiency; optical switches; polarization-insensitive multilevel phase holograms; quarter wave plate; reconfigurable multilevel phase holograms; Holographic optical components; Holography; Liquid crystals; Optical fiber polarization; Optical polarization; Optical refraction; Optical retarders; Optical sensors; Optical switches; Phase modulation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LPT.2002.1003098

Filename

1003098