journal article·2019-04-26Open access

Integrated Mach–Zehnder Interferometer Based on Liquid Crystal Evanescent Field Tuning

Manuel Caño-García, David Poudereux, Fernando J. Gordo, Morten A. Geday, José M. Otón, Xabier Quintana

Crystals· Volume 9· Issue 5

Abstract

In this work, the performance of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer manufactured in silicon nitride with a liquid crystal cladding is studied. The device consists of two multi-mode interference couplers linked by two rectangular waveguides, the cladding of one of which is a liquid crystal. The structure demonstrates the potential of using liquid crystals as tunable cladding material in simple waveguides as well as in more complex coupling or modulating structures. Liquid crystal cladding permits a local fine-tuning of the effective refractive index of the waveguide, avoiding coarse global temperature control. The study is realized in the visible region (632.8 nm), for its intrinsic interest region in (bio-)sensing or metrology.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Photonic and Optical Devices · Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies · Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Centro de Materiales y Dispositivos Avanzados para Tecnologías de Información y Comunicaciones (CEMDATIC), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Complutense 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Department of Nanophotonics, Ultrafast Bio- and Nanophotonics Group, INL-International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre Jose Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal

Alter Technology TÜV Nord S.A.U., Calle de la Majada 3, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain

Funding

Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España · European Regional Development Fund

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