Tunable field-sensitive polarizer using hybrid conventional waveguides and photonic crystal structures with nematic liquid crystals

Photonic crystals (PCs) have many potential applications because of their ability to control light-wave propagation. We proposed a novel tunable field-sensitive polarizer based on conventional waveguides and PC structures with nematic liquid crystals. Its properties were investigated numerically by using the plane wave expansion method and finite-difference time-domain method. The bandgaps can be continuously modulated after infiltrating nematic liquid crystals into the PC structure. Then the polarizer can separate TM- and TE-polarized modes in the waveguide. These results may provide novel application of polarizer in photonic integrated circuits.