Title :
Propagation properties in short lengths of rectangular epoxy waveguides
Author :
Olsen, C. Michael ; Trewhella, J.M. ; Fan, B. ; Oprysko, Modest M.
Author_Institution :
IBM Thomas J. Watson Res. Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA
Abstract :
The propagation loss and beam spreading in large-core epoxy ridge waveguides on a glass substrate at wavelengths ranging from 630 to 1550 nm have been measured. At the intermediate wavelengths, a loss floor of 1.2 dB/cm is observed which is caused by inclusions and wall imperfections. The theoretical and experimentally determined equilibrium numerical aperture is 0.65 and 0.29 and the modal dispersion is 5.1 and 1.0 ps/cm, respectively. The discrepancy is due to strong scattering. The scattering does not give rise to any noticeable mode mixing. The epoxy waveguides also provide a rapid filling of the modes which is attractive for modal noise suppression.<>
Keywords :
integrated optics; light scattering; optical dispersion; optical losses; optical waveguides; rectangular waveguides; 630 to 1550 nm; IR; beam spreading; equilibrium numerical aperture; glass substrate; inclusions; large-core epoxy ridge waveguides; loss floor; modal dispersion; modal noise suppression; planar waveguides; propagation loss; rapid modes filling; rectangular epoxy waveguides; short lengths; strong scattering; wall imperfections; Loss measurement; Nonlinear optics; Optical fiber polarization; Optical losses; Optical polymers; Optical scattering; Optical waveguides; Rayleigh scattering; Rectangular waveguides; Wavelength measurement;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE