Planar polarization-routing optical cross-connects using nematic liquid crystal waveguides

This paper presents the device design and performance analysis of a novel design of planar optical cross-connect (OXC) using nematic liquid crystal (NLC) waveguides. It employs N × N switching matrix in cross-bar fabric. In each unit cell, the input light is set in either the transverse electric (TE) mode or the transverse magnetic (TM) mode by electrically reorienting the NLC in the waveguide. The light then enters a passive waveguide and is routed to different paths depending on the polarization state (TE/TM mode). A sample device of 8 × 8 OXC is analyzed for performance estimation, which predicts a maximum on-chip insertion loss of 3 dB, an average cross-talk of -40 dB, ~1 ms switching time, and 2 mm × 2 mm footprint. The proposed OXC is unique in the switching mechanism of polarization-dependent routing and allows non-blocking switching with high compactness and broad bandwidth. It is potential for optical circuit switching in data centers and optical communication networks.

Mesogen-co-polymerized transparent polyimide as a liquid-crystal alignment layer with enhanced anchoring energy

Enhancing the azimuthal anchoring energy of the aligning film is a key requirement to improve the quality of liquid-crystal displays. Based on the assumption of mesogenic side groups being able to align liquid-crystal (LC) molecules, we have designed a novel transparent polyimide bearing cyanobiphenyl mesogenic side chains, which has a similar structure to that of liquid crystal 5CB. A pyrimidyl diamine monomer with a cyanobiphenyl mesogenic unit was first synthesized, and then co-polymerized with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride. The obtained polyimide (PI) exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical properties, as well as high optical transparency with transmittance of up to 86% in the wavelength range 450–700 nm. By evaluating the adhesion force between PI films and LCs with a super-sensitive microelectro-mechanical balance system, we have verified that appending mesogenic groups on the side chains of PI strengthens intermolecular interactions between the LC and PI surfaces, thereby enhancing the surface anchoring energy. Compared with the unmodified PI, the anchoring energy of the derivatized PI was improved more than 2.2-fold. By virtue of its good transparency and strong anchoring energy, this PI would seem to be an ideal candidate as a LC alignment film, and the concept of mesogens aligning LCs may open a new door in the design of LC alignment films.

This work shows the key role played by the mesogens side groups of polyimides in enhancing the azimuthal anchoring energy.

Synthesis and characterization of novel star-branched polyimides derived from 2,2-bis[4-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane

A series of novel star-branched fluorinated polyimides was synthesized from anhydride-terminated linear poly(amide acid)s and aromatic fluorinated tetramine BDAPFP.

Investigation of thermal and tensile properties of poly(benzimidazole-imide) composites incorporating salicylic acid–functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

This work describes a novel aromatic poly(benzimidazole-imide) (PBII) with amino salicylic acid (ASA) segments in the main chain by melt/solid polymerization method under solvent-free conditions and its composites reinforced with ASA-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-ASA). The polymer was obtained in high yield with an amorphous morphology, was soluble in various organic solvents, such as N,N′-dimethylacetamide, N,N′-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and dimethyl sulfoxide, and could afford flexible and tough film via solution casting. MWCNT-ASA/PBII composite films were also prepared by casting a solution of precursor polymer containing different fractions of MWCNTs-ASA into a thin film (1, 2, and 5 wt%). The cast films exhibited good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 90.00–128.3 MPa, elongation at break of 4.6–7.9%, and tensile modulus of 1.6–2.9 GPa. They were reasonably stable up to a temperature above 400°C for the PBII and above 450°C for the composites. Structural and morphological evaluation of the composites was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Dispersion of MWCNT-ASA in the polymer matrix was investigated by field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Semi fluorinated polymers as surface energy controlled layers for liquid crystal alignment

The effects of compounded hydrogenated–fluorinated surfaces formed by perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB)-containing polymers on the alignment of a liquid crystal, 4,4′-octylcycanobiphenyl (8CB), were investigated.