Electro-optical control of polarization in femtosecond-laser written waveguides using an embedded liquid crystal cell

We invite you to read this article Electro-optical control of polarization in femtosecond-laser written waveguides using an embedded liquid crystal cell
This scientific publication introduces a NOVEL APPROACH to embedding adjustable waveplates into FLDW optical circuits. It achieves this by incorporating a layer of liquid crystal into the waveguide. Control over the liquid crystal’s orientation via applied voltage induces bias-dependent phase retardation, effectively acting as a voltage-dependent waveplate.

👉 Amplitude’s involvement
The waveguides are inscribed using an Amplitude Satsuma laser emitting 300 fs pulses at a wavelength of 1030 nm.
Satsuma is a compact industrial femtosecond laser and a worldwide bestseller. With an average power going up to 20W and an energy pulse going up to 40 µJ, the Saustma femtosecond laser is the best value for money for any applications in #micromachining & #semiconductor.

🗯 What is FLDW?
Femtosecond laser direct writing (FLDW) is a technology enabling the fabrication of waveguides within a glass chip in a full 3D manner, allowing for the observation of various topological effects. This technology guides light along specific 3D paths within the chip and can fabricate optical components such as directional couplers within the same chip. By incorporating various optical components, FLDW facilitates the integration of multiple optical functions into a single glass chip, resulting in integrated photonic circuits that exploit the chip’s entire volume. This miniaturization potential allows for a significant reduction in the size of traditional bulk optical assemblies.

Authors >> Kim Lammers, Alessandro Alberucci, Jisha Chandroth Pannian , Alexander Szameit, and Stefan Nolte

from Institute of Applied Physics, Abbe School of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institut für Physik, Universität Rostock, and Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering