Optically switchable all-fiber optic polarizer

Abstract

We demonstrate an optically switchable all-fiber optical polarizer based on a side-polished fiber (SPF) overlaid with a photoresponsive liquid crystal (PLC) containing a nematic LC and a photosensitive azobenzene molecule. The trans-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene modulates the overlaid LC's birefringence, changes the refractive index (RI) of the PLC-overlaid SPF, and further controls the polarization of light propagating within the fiber.