A tuneable waveguided optical filter made of polymer and liquid crystal slices operating in C-band: analysis of transmission and reflection properties

We present the modelisation and simulation at wavelengths about 1550 nm of a waveguide grating made up of polymer and liquid crystal slices as the core layer and glass as cladding layers. The model combines a matrix-transfer method with a Modal Analysis. The pre-polymerised mixture considered in our calculations is made of NOA61 and 5CB. We derive that the device can behave as either an electrically tuneable narrow notch filter, or a switchable bandpass filter. A tuning range of 7 nm can be obtained for the notch filter with an optical bandwidth at -20 dB less than 1 nm.