In-line liquid crystalline polarization transformer

Abstract

A new in-line type tunable liquid crystalline fiber-optic polarization transformer is presented. The main idea is to obtain anisotropic waveguide structure based on biconically tapered isotropic fiber core and anisotropic liquid fiber clad. As the liquid crystalline clad the nematic mixture W-602 made by Dabrowski's group has been used. The special construction of a device with simple external cross-section secures a possibility to change molecular orientation of the liquid-crystalline clad by external field. Thus, different polarizing action has been obtained depending on fulfillment waveguide condition of the structure.