Technology for polymer-based integrated optical interferometric sensors fabricated by hot-embossing and printing

Integrated optical Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI) may be used as high-sensitivity sensors by taking advantage of the interaction of the waveguide evanescent field with liquids or gases surrounding the sensor. We present here the design and simulation of polymer-based MZIs fabricated using printing technologies. Based on simulations of an integrated MZI system with regard to variations of waveguide cross-section and refractive indices of core and cladding to optimize high sensitivity to external refractive index changes of analytes, waveguides with single mode behavior are fabricated by hot-embossing and ink-jet or flexographic printing technologies. Finally, a hybrid combination of a laser diode with the printed MZI will be shown.