Slow light in photonic crystal cavity filled with nematic liquid crystal

Abstract

An innovative technique to tune the slow light propagated through photonic crystal cavity filled with E7 type nematic crystal has been simulated and presented. Observed propagating modes in the previously fabricated photonic crystal indicate that both slow and fast modes propagate in the waveguide. Design efforts were made to adjust the propagating modes as well as their group velocities. Numerical studies show that by inserting nematic liquid crystal, designer can achieve additional degree of freedom to tune the device by using external perturbation such as applying heat or electric field. Comparative studies have also been done to see the performance of the devices fabricated in two deferent material platforms (silicon and InP) with an objective to develop economic and efficient functional material systems for building robust integrated photonic devices that have the ability to slow, store, and process light pulses.