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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 18, Iss. 26 — Dec. 20, 2010
  • pp: 27280–27290

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 18 > Issue 26 > Page 27280

Liquid crystal dynamics in a photonic crystal cavity created by selective microfluidic infiltration

A. Casas Bedoya, S. Mahmoodian, C. Monat, S. Tomljenovic-Hanic, C. Grillet, P. Domachuk, E.C. Mägi, B. J. Eggleton, and R. W. van der Heijden  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 18, Issue 26, pp. 27280-27290 (2010)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.18.027280


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Abstract

A microfluidic double heterostructure cavity is created in a silicon planar photonic crystal waveguide by selective infiltration of a liquid crystal. The spectral evolution of the cavity resonances probed by evanescent coupling reveals that the liquid crystal evaporates, even at room temperature, despite its relatively low vapor pressure of 5 × 10−3 Pa. We explore the infiltration and evaporation dynamics of the liquid crystal within the cavity using a Fabry-Perot model that accounts for the joint effects of liquid volume reduction and cavity length variation due to liquid evaporation. While discussing how the pattern of the infiltrated liquid can be optimized to restrict evaporation, we find that the experimental behavior is consistent with basic microfluidic relations considering the small volumes of liquids and large surface areas present in our structure.

© 2010 OSA

OCIS Codes
(230.3720) Optical devices : Liquid-crystal devices
(130.5296) Integrated optics : Photonic crystal waveguides
(230.5298) Optical devices : Photonic crystals

ToC Category:
Optical Devices

History
Original Manuscript: October 7, 2010
Revised Manuscript: November 7, 2010
Manuscript Accepted: December 6, 2010
Published: December 10, 2010

Citation
A. Casas Bedoya, S. Mahmoodian, C. Monat, S. Tomljenovic-Hanic, C. Grillet, P. Domachuk, E.C. Mägi, B. J. Eggleton, and R. W. van der Heijden, "Liquid crystal dynamics in a photonic crystal cavity created by selective microfluidic infiltration," Opt. Express 18, 27280-27290 (2010)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-18-26-27280


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