Characterization of passive polymer optical waveguides

Matthias Joehnck; Stefan Kalveram; Stefan Lehmacher; Guido Pompe; Stefan Rudolph; Andreas Neyer; Johannes W. Hofstraat

doi:10.1117/12.348405

18 May 1999 Characterization of passive polymer optical waveguides

Matthias Joehnck, Stefan Kalveram, Stefan Lehmacher, Guido Pompe, Stefan Rudolph, Andreas Neyer, Johannes W. Hofstraat

Proceedings Volume 3623, Organic Photonic Materials and Devices; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.348405
Event: Optoelectronics '99 - Integrated Optoelectronic Devices, 1999, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The characterization of monomode passive polymer optical devices fabricated according to the POPCORN technology by methods originated from electron, ion and optical spectroscopy is summarized. Impacts of observed waveguide perturbations on the optical characteristics of the waveguide are evaluated. In the POPCORN approach optical components for telecommunication applications are fabricated by photo-curing of liquid halogenated (meth)acrylates which have been applied on moulded thermoplastic substrates. For tuning of waveguide material refractive indices with respect to the substrate refractive index frequently comonomer mixtures are used. The polymerization characteristics, especially the polymerization kinetics of individual monomers, determine the formation of copolymers. Therefore the unsaturation as function of UV-illumination time in the formation of halogenated homo- and copolymers has been examined. From different suitable copolymer system, after characterization of their glass transition temperatures, their curing behavior and their refractive indices as function of the monomer ratios, monomode waveguides applying PMMA substrates have been fabricated. To examine the materials composition also in the 6 X 6 micrometers ² waveguides they have been visualized by transmission electron microscopy. With this method e.g. segregation phenomena could be observed in the waveguide cross section characterization as well. The optical losses in monomode waveguides caused by segregation and other materials induce defects like micro bubbles formed as a result of shrinkage have been quantized by return loss measurements. Defects causing scattering could be observed by convocal laser scanning microscopy and by conventional light microscopy.

Citation Download Citation

Matthias Joehnck, Stefan Kalveram, Stefan Lehmacher, Guido Pompe, Stefan Rudolph, Andreas Neyer, and Johannes W. Hofstraat "Characterization of passive polymer optical waveguides", Proc. SPIE 3623, Organic Photonic Materials and Devices, (18 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.348405

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