Active electrical and optical tuning of silicon photonic devices with liquid crystals

摘要

Silicon photonics is a rapidly evolving field allowing for optical devices to be made cost effectively using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques and integrated with microelectronic chips. Active tuning of silicon photonic devices has been demonstrated using thermal, electrical and optical means in the form of injection of free carriers through two-photon absorption. This work explores active electrical and optical tuning of silicon photonic devices using silicon strip waveguides combined with nematic liquid crystal (NLC) claddings. Simulation and experimental studies are presented.