Lammers, Kim A.Kim A.LammersAlberucci, AlessandroAlessandroAlberucciJisha, Chandroth P.Chandroth P.JishaSzameit, Alexander S.Alexander S.SzameitNolte, StefanStefanNolte2024-08-272024-08-272024https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/47411310.1364/OME.5072302-s2.0-85190270459By incorporating a liquid crystal layer into waveguides created through direct laser writing, a tunable waveplate in a fused silica waveguide is successfully realized. In the experiment, a voltage is applied to the birefringent liquid crystal layer, inducing changes in the internal molecular arrangement of the nematic liquid crystal (NLC). Owing to the voltage-induced rotation of the NLC molecules, the polarization of the transmitted light becomes dependent on the applied external electric field. This novel approach to polarization manipulation paves the way for a new family of reconfigurable devices and complex photonic circuits based upon femtosecond-written waveguides.enopen accessjournal article