Analysis of a non-linear directional coupler with a nematic liquid crystal

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Abstract
The analysis of a non-linear directional coupler consisting of two planar waveguides separated by a nematic liquid crystal is presented. The non-linear effect is caused by an optically-induced reorientational effect occurring in homeotropic or planar oriented nematic layers and is enhanced by a DC external electric field. Both fields cause changes in the effective refractive index of the nematic layer due to the optical non-linearity and due to the direct action of the additional electric field. It is shown that the non-linear optical effect has a threshold of the nature of the optical Fredericks transition and the effect is discussed in classical geometries corresponding to splay, twist and bend deformations of a nematic liquid crystal. The results obtained are applied to analyse the action of a non-linear directional coupler in comparison to non-linear couplers with the Kerr-type non-linearity previously investigated.

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