ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the use of Liquid Crystal (LC)-infiltrated Photonic-crystal fibers (PCF) as an all-fiber probe for sensing electric field and its various parameters. The large anisotropy of LCs dependent on physical parameters, such as temperature and electric and magnetic fields makes LC materials suited for implementing optical sensors for such parameters. The refractive indices of LC materials are highly dependent on ambient conditions such as temperature and externally applied electric or magnetic fields. Rotational viscosity is an important parameter to be taken into account with reorientation of LC molecules on the application of an electric field. It is important to understand the behavior of the LCs under the influence of an externally applied electric field, particularly the reorientation of LC molecules under the influence of an electric field. The response of the LCs to external fields is dependent in most cases on the interactions between the LC molecules and the forces at the surface boundaries.