Novel polymer optical couplers based on symmetry mode mixing

Emerging mixed signal modules will contain microwave, digital, and photonic circuits requiring efficient interconnect technology due to space limitation. Polymers are envisioned to perform optical interconnections via waveguides, and distribution networks via optical couplers. A novel polymer optical coupler, using center-fed mode mixing for multimode waveguide, is demonstrated experimentally for use in a mixed-signal mode environment. This coupler has lower loss and space requirement than the traditional Y-junction coupler. A limitation of this type of coupler is the small separation of the output beams. To circumvent this a microprism is introduced for wide-angle applications.<>