Field-controlled optical profile of a waveguide having a liquid-crystalline core

The optical properties of a nematic liquid-crystal waveguide in a hybrid configuration have been dynamically reshaped in a straightforward and controlled way by applying an external electric field. The anisotropic refractive index profile of the waveguide has been determined for different electric-field strengths by means of m-lines spectroscopy. The experimental results are in very good agreement with the values predicted by a simple model that takes into account the dielectric, optical, and elastic properties of the liquid-crystal guiding layer. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics