Title :
Polymer Optical Waveguide Switch Using Thermo-Optic Total-Internal-Reflection and Strain-Effect
Author :
Kim, Seongku ; Cha, DongHo ; Pei, Qibing ; Geary, Kevin
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Mater. Sci. & Eng., Univ. of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Abstract :
A new optical waveguide switch using thermo-optic total-internal-reflection and strain-induced effects in polymer materials has been experimentally demonstrated. The switch consists of three-layered slab waveguides and two metal strip lines that are located close to one another on top of the upper cladding. The deposition of metal strips introduces strain in the underlying polymer materials, creating two strain-induced optical waveguides for the cross state. Current applied along these metal strips results in a thermo-optic based total-internal-reflection waveguide between the two metal strips for the bar state. The fabrication and the device characteristics of the new optical switch are reported.
Keywords :
claddings; gold; optical design techniques; optical fabrication; optical planar waveguides; optical polymers; optical switches; piezo-optical effects; thermo-optical devices; thermo-optical effects; bar state; cross state; device design; device fabrication; integrated optic components; metal strip deposition; metal strip lines; polymer materials; polymer optical waveguide switch; strain-induced effects; strain-induced optical waveguide; thermo-optic total-internal-reflection; three-layered slab waveguides; upper cladding; Optical switch; polymer optical waveguide; strain-induced effect; thermo-optic effect; total-internal-reflection;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LPT.2009.2036940
