Controlled refractive index of photosensitive polymer: towards photo-induced waveguide for near infrared wavelengths

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 214; no. 1; pp. 171 - 175
• Main Authors: Assaı̈d, Imane, Hardy, Isabelle, Bosc, Dominique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2002; Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Infrared; Integrated optics. Optical fibers and wave guides; Light-sensitive materials; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical materials; Optical waveguide; Optical waveguides and couplers; Optics; Photosensitive; Photowriting; Physics; Polymer; Polymers and organics; Polymer; Photosensitive; Optical waveguide; Infrared; Photowriting; Near infrared radiation; Single mode waveguide; Optical dispersion; Chromatic aberrations; Refractive index; Cinnamic derivative polymer; Photoinduced effect; Optical materials; Organic polymers; Experimental study; Photosensitive material; Optical waveguides
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/S0030-4018(02)02172-7

Photo-writing process of polymer optical waveguides can offer advantages to make easier connection fiber guide, and noticeably simplifies the fabrication procedure. In order to carry out a photo-writing technique, we choose a photosensitive polymer. Thus, under far UV irradiation, polyvinylcinnamate (PVCi) undergoes a change in its absorption, yielding a refractive index variation. This work presents the first results of relationship between the bleaching of the UV band and the refractive index change in the area of optical telecommunication spectrum. By the way, it is shown that the index contrast obtained by controlling the UV source, can be improved, in order to make suitable this process for printing integrated optical waveguides.