Laminated Waveguides - An alternative approach to the production of integrated photonic devices

In this work, we present application scenarios for a new type of embedded polymer-optical waveguide realized by reactive lamination [1]. In the field of full-polymer photonic systems, waveguides are mainly manufactured either by direct structuring of polymers on silicon or polymer substrates or by a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in2017 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC) p. 1
Main Authors Kelb, Christian, Reithmeier, Eduard, Roth, Bernhard
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.06.2017
Subjects
Lamination
Optical polymers
Optical sensors
Optical waveguides
Plastics
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:In this work, we present application scenarios for a new type of embedded polymer-optical waveguide realized by reactive lamination [1]. In the field of full-polymer photonic systems, waveguides are mainly manufactured either by direct structuring of polymers on silicon or polymer substrates or by a combination of hot embossing and spin-coating or doctorblading, respectively. While these processes demonstrated the production of low-attenuation waveguides with even single-mode capabilities, the processes utilized are in need of expensive tools like e.g. photomasks or silicon hot-embossing stamps. The approach employed uses an active lamination agent [1, 2] to join poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate and a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) monofilament, creating a monolithic, full-polymer waveguide, suited for a roll-to-roll production process since all feedstock is already supplied on spools or coils.
DOI:10.1109/CLEOE-EQEC.2017.8086601