Quasi-phased matched optical waveguide frequency conversion element having a ferroelectric liquid crystalline material exhibiting a periodic structure

US5335303A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard Buchecker · Zürich, CH
• Xin Chen · Erie, US
• Jurg Funfschilling · Basel, CH
• Rolf-Peter Herr · Glückstadt, DE
• Martin Schadt · Seltisberg, CH
• Klaus Schmitt · Lörrach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 5, 1993
• Grant date: Aug 2, 1994
• Expiry date: Aug 5, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/3548
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical frequency conversion element has a wave-guiding layer which consists of a .chi..sup.(2) -active ferroelectric liquid crystal. The monomeric or polymeric liquid crystal material has a periodic structure which permits the so-called quasi phase matching of a guided laser beam. The period length of the structure is equal to twice the coherence length l.sub.c =.pi./.DELTA..beta. of the material, whereby .DELTA..beta.=.beta..sub.o (2.omega.)-2.beta..sub.o (.omega.), with .omega.=angular frequency of the fundamental wave, 0=zero-order mode and .beta.=propagation constant of the mode.