Optical tuning of planar photonic crystals infiltrated with organic molecules

The optical tuning of InP-based planar photonic crystals (PhCs) infiltrated with a photo-responsive liquid crystal system is presented. Photo-induced phase transitions of a liquid crystal blend doped with azobenzene molecules are used to tune the optical response of PhC cavities. This process is found to be reversible and stable. Several tuning conditions are analyzed in terms of the blend phase diagram