Comparison of self-written waveguide techniques and bulk index matching for low-loss polymer waveguide interconnects

Derek Burrell; Christopher Middlebrook

doi:10.1117/12.2222217

15 March 2016 Comparison of self-written waveguide techniques and bulk index matching for low-loss polymer waveguide interconnects

Derek Burrell, Christopher Middlebrook

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9753, Optical Interconnects XVI; 975306 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222217
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Polymer waveguides (PWGs) are used within photonic interconnects as inexpensive and versatile substitutes for traditional optical fibers. The PWGs are typically aligned to silica-based optical fibers for coupling. An epoxide elastomer is then applied and cured at the interface for index matching and rigid attachment. Self-written waveguides (SWWs) are proposed as an alternative to further reduce connection insertion loss (IL) and alleviate marginal misalignment issues. Elastomer material is deposited after the initial alignment, and SWWs are formed by injecting ultraviolet (UV) light into the fiber or waveguide. The coupled UV light cures a channel between the two differing structures. A suitable cladding layer can be applied after development. Such factors as longitudinal gap distance, UV cure time, input power level, polymer material selection and choice of solvent affect the resulting SWWs. Experimental data are compared between purely index-matched samples and those with SWWs at the fiber-PWG interface. It is shown that < 1 dB IL per connection can be achieved by either method and results indicate lowest potential losses associated with a fine-tuned self-writing process. Successfully fabricated SWWs reduce overall processing time and enable an effectively continuous low-loss rigid interconnect.

Citation Download Citation

Derek Burrell and Christopher Middlebrook "Comparison of self-written waveguide techniques and bulk index matching for low-loss polymer waveguide interconnects", Proc. SPIE 9753, Optical Interconnects XVI, 975306 (15 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222217

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available