"ALLOPLASM aims at the theoretical analysis and the experimental fabrication and characterization of liquid-crystal tunable long-range surface plasmon polariton elements. Conventional metal stripe plasmonic waveguides shall be enhanced with an electrically-switchable liquid-crystal superstrate layer. Through appropriate design, the electrical tuning of the LC-molecule tilting shall control the level of structural asymmetry and, therefore, the propagation properties, such as propagation constant and losses.The proposed structures shall be first theoretically analyzed and optimized by means of numerical tools, e.g. finite-element method, capable of addressing the anisotropic nature of the waveguiding structures. The derived structures shall be fabricated and optically characterized. Three types of end-components are targeted: a) a variable optical attenuator, b) a Mach-Zender interferometric modulator, and c) a directional coupler switch. Finally, the fabricated prototypes shall be packaged and pig-tailed, leading to compact electrically-tunable end-components.The fellowship aims to promote the career development of the fellow, who already possesses a strong theoretical background in optics, nanophotonics and nanomaterials, as well as in numerical tools needed to study the properties of optical waveguiding structures, which comprise both isotropic and anisotropic materials, such as liquid crystals. During this project he will receive complementary training in clean room fabrication processes, clean room processes specific to fabrication of liquid crystal guided optics devices, morphological investigation techniques, back-end processing and optical characterization of free space and guided optics devices. Training-by-research will provide him expertise in the entire chain of integrated optics devices."