UV written waveguides using crosslinkable PMMA-based copolymers

Summary form only given. We report UV written waveguides using novel crosslinkable polymers. The polymers used in this study have a number of attractive features, it is possible to control both their refractive index and photosensitivity through the monomer feed ratios. Unlike PMMA, the copolymers can be either thermally or UV crosslinked. This makes the system highly suitable for UV direct writing of waveguides, but has necessitated a thorough study of crosslinking in this material. We report on the crosslinking studies and show with appropriate choice of conditions we can write low loss optical waveguides. We have prepared copolymers of hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) and have introduced crosslinkable sites onto the hydroxyethyl side chains to afford poly(methylmethacrylate/2-methacryloyl ethylmethacrylate) (P(MMA/MAOEMA)). Convincing evidence for distinct crosslinking mechanisms under thermal treatment and UV exposure is presented.