EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/F01502X/1
Title: Sidewall control of multistate switchable photonic devices
Principal Investigator: Mottram, Professor NJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Mathematics and Statistics
Organisation: University of Strathclyde
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 November 2007 Ends: 31 October 2010 Value (£): 238,138
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Displays Materials Characterisation
Optical Communications
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
EP/F014988/1
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
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.strath.ac.uk