Thermal tuning of the free-standing mesoporous microcavity infiltrated with liquid crystal

Spectral characteristics of the microcavity based on a free-standing mesoporous silicon layered structure containing nematic liquid crystal E7 are studied. Nonlinear thermal tuning of resonant peak position has been realized by both conventional and laser heating. In both cases reversible tuning is observed within 11 nm range. Laser beam with power of 100 mW provides total tuning of the microcavity.