Polymeric optical waveguide films for short-distance optical interconnects

Author

Hikita, Makoto ; Tomaru, Satoru ; Enbutsu, Koji ; Ooba, Naoki ; Yoshida, Ryuya ; Usai, M. ; Yoshida, Takafumi ; Imamura, Saburo

Author_Institution

Photon. Lab., NTT Corp., Ibaraki, Japan

Volume

5

Issue

5

fYear

1999

Firstpage

1237

Lastpage

1242

Abstract

We describe three different applications of polymeric waveguide films as short-distance optical interconnects. We fabricated the waveguide films, which were 6.5 cm long and mounted in MT-compatible (MTC) connectors by passive alignment, for MM fiber systems with a 50-μm diameter graded index (GI) core. The average insertion loss of these devices was approximately 0.6 dB at 0.85-μm wavelength. We also fabricated waveguide films with a 350 mirror and an MTC connector for use as 90° out-of-plane optical deflectors, and they exhibited an insertion loss of 1 dB. Two silica planar waveguides for single-mode (SM) fiber systems were also connected by a polymeric waveguide film. Low insertion losses were obtained in both MM and SM films designed to be employed as bending waveguides. This reveals their good potential for use as practical short-distance optical interconnects

Keywords

computer networks; gradient index optics; optical fibre networks; optical films; optical interconnections; optical losses; optical polymers; optical waveguides; 0.85 mum; 1 dB; 50 mum; 6.5 cm; MM fiber systems; MT-compatible connectors; MTC connector; average insertion loss; bending waveguides; graded index core; insertion loss; low insertion losses; out-of-plane optical deflector; passive alignment; polymeric optical waveguide films; polymeric waveguide film; short-distance optical interconnects; silica planar waveguides; single-mode fiber systems; waveguide film fabrication; Connectors; Insertion loss; Optical fiber devices; Optical films; Optical interconnections; Optical losses; Optical planar waveguides; Optical polymers; Optical waveguides; Polymer films;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2944.806746

Filename

806746