| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/F014988/1 |
| Title: |
Sidewall control of multistate switchable photonic devices |
| Principal Investigator: |
Brown, Professor CV |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
School of Science & Technology |
| Organisation: |
Nottingham Trent University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 January 2008 |
Ends: |
15 April 2011 |
Value (£): |
255,219
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Displays |
Materials Characterisation |
| Optical Communications |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
|
26 Jul 2007
|
Materials Prioritisation Panel July 07
|
Announced
|
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
The development of multilevel, multistable switchable phase structures is of significant importance for photonic switching since bi/multistability in optical telecommunications switches will enable (i) enhanced network security after a power outage, since the device would continue to operate and be optically transparent, and (ii) redundancy management, where semi permanent re-routing can easily be implemented. In this project, we build on recent work where we have demonstrated the possibility of not only bistability, but multistability, by micro-structuring the sidewall in a planar aligned liquid crystal layer in order to control alignment. Such azimuthal bistability has previously been reported in liquid crystal devices using surface gratings, surface bi-gratings and periodic arrays of posts on one of the confining substrates. However, in the proposed work the use of the sidewall avoids the need for index matching with surface structures and allows for more functionality in the substrate surface, for instance so that it can be used as an active waveguide cladding. The collaboration between an applied mathematician, Dr Mottram (Strathclyde University), and a materials physicist, Dr Brown (Nottingham Trent University), has allowed this new approach to develop from theoretical possibility to a practical demonstration of feasibility. The proposed project seeks funding to create novel structures that possess stable static states, to investigate dynamic switching between the states, and to investigate the optical and diffractive properties of multistable structures.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ntu.ac.uk |