Optical waveguide having a core with a polarization-independent, spatially reconfigurable refractive index

1. An optical waveguide, comprising:

a cladding and a core region, the cladding at least partially surrounding the core region; and

located in the core region, a core comprising a non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material in a matrix of dielectric material, the core having a polarization-independent, spatially reconfigurable refractive index, wherein a photorefractive effect induces the reconfiguration of the spatially reconfigurable refractive index.

2. The optical waveguide of claim 1 , wherein the non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material comprises droplets of the liquid crystal material, the droplets having a range of sizes.

3. The optical waveguide of claim 2 , wherein the droplets are substantially spherical in shape.

4. The optical waveguide of claim 2 , wherein the droplets have sizes less than the wavelength of light propagating through the waveguide.

5. The optical waveguide of claim 2 , wherein the non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material makes the refractive index of the core independent of polarization of the light propagating through the waveguide.

6. The optical waveguide of claim 1 , additionally comprising electrodes located to apply an electric field to at least part of the core to change the refractive index thereof.

7. The optical waveguide of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric material comprises titanium dioxide.

8. The optical waveguide of claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal material comprises an organic dye.

9. The optical waveguide of claim 8 , wherein the organic dye causes the liquid crystal material to be photorefractive.

10. The optical waveguide of claim 9 , further additionally comprising a spatial light modulator through which control light is passed to change a spatial configuration of the refractive index of the core.

11. The optical waveguide of claim 9 , wherein the liquid crystal material is optically transparent to signal light propagating along the optical waveguide and absorbent of the control light.

12. A method for spatially configuring the refractive index of the core of an optical waveguide, the method comprising:

providing an optical waveguide comprising a cladding and a core, the cladding surrounding the core, the core including a non-uniform distribution of liquid crystal material in a dielectric material matrix; and

spatially selectively changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal material, wherein a photorefractive effect induces the change in the refractive index.

13. The method of claim 12 , in which spatially selectively changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal material comprises changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal material by an electro-optic effect.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber.