In order to achieve lightweigt and high-speed in-vehicle data transmission in the future, there is growing anticipation for the utilization of multimode optical fibers. Conventional physical contact of two fibers cause damage of the fiber end face due to vibration. As a way to solve such problems related to splicing between optical fibers, we are developing light-induced self-writing (LISW) optical waveguide technology using gel materials that retain adhesiveness and flexibility. Recently, we have realized a flexible LISW optical interconnect between graded index optical fibers (50GI-fiber) to solve the optical coupling problem under vibration. In this study, an all-solid flexible LISW optical interconnect between 50GI-fibers is presented.
Near-Infrared (NIR) Light-Induced Self-Written (LISW) waveguide technique is a promising candidate for the practical realization of a passive alignment between telecommunication and silicon photonics devices. LISW waveguide can be realized by irradiation of CW NIR laser with microwatt power. In this paper, recent progress of NIR LISW waveguide technique is presented for future multichannel coupling.
Ultralow threshold near-infrared light-induced self-written waveguides were realized at wavelengths of 1.31 μm and 1.55 μm. VCSEL-to-fiber and silicon waveguide-to-fiber self-couplings were successfully demonstrated.
In recent years, automotive gigabit and multigigabit Ethernet technology is expected to be applied in autonomous driving system and advanced driver assistance system. Step-index-type plastic optical fiber (SI-POF), graded-index-type glass optical fiber (GI-GOF), and graded-index-type plastic optical fiber (GI-POF) will be the transmission media for high bandwidth data transmission. In order to reserve smooth light coupling at in-line connections, flexible and low loss waveguide is required. In this presentation, we propose and demonstrate optical interconnection by light-induced self-written (LISW) waveguide using a soft gel resin. We performed simple fabrication of LISW waveguide using near infrared sensitive gel resin and high flexibility of waveguide under harsh environment of vibration. undefined In recent years, automotive gigabit and multigigabit Ethernet technology is expected to be applied in autonomous driving system and advanced driver assistance system. Step-index-type plastic optical fiber (SI-POF), graded-index-type glass optical fiber (GI-GOF), and graded-index-type plastic optical fiber (GI-POF) will be the transmission media for high bandwidth data transmission. In order to reserve smooth light coupling at in-line connections, flexible and low loss waveguide is required. In this presentation, we propose and demonstrate optical interconnection by light-induced self-written (LISW) waveguide using a soft gel resin. We performed simple fabrication of LISW waveguide using near infrared sensitive gel resin and high flexibility of waveguide under harsh environment of vibration.
In our previous study, we demonstrated that a surface supported rapid evaporation crystallization (SSREC) method can be utilized to effectively prepare single nanometer nanocrystals (NCs) of 4-N, N-dimethylamino-4’-N’-methylstilbazolium tosylate (DAST), a bench mark of organic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal. In this study, first, we extend the SSREC method to DAST single crystal nanowires (NWs) preparation by using a polymer-type surfactant. With one-drop of DAST-methanol solution, millimeter-scale the DAST NWs can be attained within one minute. We presume that this highly efficient driving forces of the fast self-assembling process originate from Coulombic interactions of the DAST nanocrystals. In order to further increase the crystal quality of the NWs, we propose a one-drop self-assembly process which separates the SSREC self-assembling process into two steps: SSREC process for NCs preparation and static cultivation process for NWs self-assembly. By this method, we successfully attain 4-N, N-dimethylamino-4'-N'-methylstilbazolium 2-naphthalenesulfonate (DSNS-2) NWs. The obtained DSNS-2 NWs have very high surface quality with surface roughness <150 pm, which is highly beneficial for fabricating integrated optical devices. Furthermore, the onedrop self-assembly method only requires reagents in microgram quantities, and thus this method is extremely environment-friendly.
High performance silicon-based optical circuits and modules will be required for the future high bandwidth optical data transmission system applications. We are now engaging in fabrication of integrated optical waveguides and modules using hybrid structure of high performance functional photonic polymers and silicon photonics. We present recent progress of photonic polymers and waveguide-type device technologies for next generation integrated optical circuits. High performance photonic polymer is a potential candidate for functional optical waveguide material by combining silicon waveguide platform. Using electrooptic (EO) polymer limit of bandwidth and/or driving voltage of a silicon modulator can be overcome. Light-induced self-written (LISW) waveguide technology enables optical interconnection between optical components using photocurable resin. Athermal silicon optical waveguide can be achieved by using organic-Inorganic hybrid material with large negative thermooptic (TO) coefficient as a cladding material of silicon waveguide. By combining high performance functional photonic polymer and silicon waveguide, we attempt to realize integrated optical devices for next-generation optical interconnection application. Moreover, we present data transmission system demonstration using the hybrid modules.
In this paper, several organic-inorganic composites were prepared for Terahertz (THz) devices fabrication. First, a two-layer structure was designed for femtosecond (fs) laser/THz radiation separation. The top layer was made by sintered 20-40 nm hollow quartz particles which can diffuse the incident fs laser thus decrease the power intensity. The bottom layer comprised of silicon 100 nm particles and cycle-olefine polymer (COP), by which the fs laser light can be greatly scattered and absorbed but THz radiation can propagate insusceptibly. With this two-layer structure a high efficient fs-laser/THz filter was fabricated successfully. Second, titania–polymer composites with a very high refractiveindex tunability and high transparency in the THz region were prepared. By controlling the blending ratio of the titania particle, a broad refractive-index tuning range from 1.5 to 3.1 was realized. Then, the composites were used to fabricate antireflective (AR) layers on a high-resistivity silicon (HR-Si) substrate. By utilizing the thermoplasticity of the titania– polymer composite, a graded-index structure was fabricated via a hot-embossing method. Because of the good refractive-index matching between the composite and the HR-Si substrate, a broadband AR layer was fabricated.
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) have launched a new program called strategic promotion of innovative
research and development ( S-Innovation ). Projects chosen for the S-Innovation program are selected from among the
research output of JST's strategic and basic research programs, such as CREST, ERATO, Sakigake and PREST, which
aim to create innovative new technologies, lead to the advancement of science and technology and the emergence of new
industries. S-Innovation covers R&D themes from the aforementioned programs and is based on the seamless, long-term
pursuit of R&D toward the practical application of novel technologies. It is envisaged that the innovation resulting from
such technologies will form the foundations of future industries. Currently the program consists of four projects in which
photonics polymers are included. The photonic polymer research consists of five topics such as development of fast
organic photorefractive polymers for advanced optical communication technology, development of new device
technology based on nano-ordered structures of polymers, development of three-dimensional vector wave memory,
optical interconnect device technology using high performance photonic polymers and development of quantum
photonic technologies with polymer optical nano-fibers. Each topic is funded approximately $1.0 M/year for ten years.
The objectives and unique features of S-innovation and the highlights of each topic are described.
In next generation optical printed circuit board, functional optical circuits will be required. We present
recent progress of photonics polymers and waveguide-type device fabrication for high performance optical
integrated circuit modules.
Size- and concentration-dependent of Rayleigh scattering properties of transparent TiO2 nanohybrid polymer have been
systematically investigated. By utilizing the Rayleigh scattering technique, we can obtain the Rayleigh ratio of TiO2
nanohybrid polymer prepared with different concentrations of TiO2. We observed that these Rayleigh ratios are strongly
dependent on the size and concentration of the nanoparticles. The larger the size and concentration of nanoparticles is,
the larger the Rayleigh scattering is. Furthermore, this technique can be used to examine the saturation effect of Rayleigh
scattering observed at high input power, and evaluate the size uniformity of nanoparticles in nanohybrid polymer.
Polymer optical chip containing a combination of 45°-angled cut waveguide, Y-splitter and S-bend structures was
designed and fabricated for simple and reliable evaluation of multi-mode waveguides. Effect of mode scramblers was
investigated as an appropriate input condition for standardization of measurement of optical characteristics of multi-mode
waveguides.
Polymer optical waveguide devices are getting popular for optical printed circuit board and/or home-network applications. In order to accelerate the development of polymer optical waveguide devices, evaluation of waveguide characteristics should be reliable and speeded up. Polymer optical chip containing a combination of 45°-angled cut waveguide, Y-splitter and S-bend structures was designed and fabricated for simple evaluation of multimode waveguides. Input launching conditions such as mode scrambler was investigated for reliable measurement for standardization.
Polymers are attractive materials for optical waveguide applications due to their low cost, easy processibility and good
flexibility. One of the highest priorities in the improvement of polymer optical waveguides is to develop new polymer
materials possessing low optical loss, thermal stability, and refractive index controllability. Here, we present promising
optical waveguide materials, i.e. calixarene polymers, which possess good optical and thermal properties. Calixarene
polymer optical waveguides showed low optical loss (less than 1 dB/cm at 1.3 μm) and good thermal stability (5 wt%
loss temperature : higher than 300°C). The control of refractive index of calixarene polymers was also achieved by
copolymerization of calixrene with other comonomer. Calixarene molecules are originally known as an inclusion
compound in host-gesut chemistry, which can bind various metal ions and organic molecules. Thus, we also investigated
the binding property of calixarene polymer against trivalent europium(Eu3+) complex which possesses excellent
luminescent characteristics. An interaction , i.e. coordination structure, is established between calixarene polymer and Eu
complex, which results in an effective suppression of concentration quenching of Eu complex.
Photochromic dye is expected for all-optical waveguide switches because it could change its refractive index by UV or
visible light irradiation. One of photochromic amorphous molecular materials, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluorene-2-yl)amino]
azobenzene (BFlAB) readily formed stable amorphous glasses above room temperature without polymer dilution and it
showed large refractive index change and good processability. We fabricated an all-optical 1 × 2 Y-branch waveguide
switch by simple process and evaluated its optical properties and switching function.
To control thermo-optic (T-O) coefficient of polymer materials, hybrid polymer system with inorganic nanoparticles
was examined. Polymer materials have high T-O coefficient but low refractive index. On the other hand, inorganic
materials have low T-O coefficient but high refractive index. Then surface treated inorganic nanoparticles were dispersed
into epoxy polymers. By increasing inorganic nanoparticle contents, refractive index of hybrid polymer changed and its
T-O coefficient decreased.
We developed a novel waveguide fabrication technology, i.e., femtosecond (fs) pulse laser assisted self-writing
waveguide technology, to overcome problems of standard technologies, such as time consuming and high cost. Based on
a light induced self-written (LISW) waveguide fabrication technology, a 488nm cw laser was launched through an
optical fiber into UV curable resin. At the same time a 800nm fs laser was additionally used as a 3D position selective
assistant beam. As the UV resin was cured by the 488nm laser and 800nm fs laser irradiation, a fiber/waveguide
connecting 2D/3D waveguide was easily fabricated.
Polymer optical waveguide devices are getting popular for next generation FTTH application. In order to accelerate the development of polymer optical devices, evaluation of waveguide characteristics should be speeded up. Polymer optical chip containing a combination of 45°-angled cut waveguide, Y-splitter and S-bend structures was designed and fabricated for simple evaluation of multimode waveguides. Input launching such as light source, mode scrambler was investigated for reliable measurement.
Polymeric optical waveguide devices connectable to plastic optical fibers (POFs) fabricated by thermal replication using thermo-plastic and thermo-curable resins are presented. Optical waveguides with large core sizes of 1000 μm were fabricated, and low propagation loss of ~0.2 dB/cm for thermo-plastic resin waveguide at 650 nm was achieved. Waveguide with high thermal resistance was realized by simultaneous curing and replication using thermo-curable multifunctional methacrylate monomers.
Organic nonlinear optical crystal 2-Adamanthylamino-5-nitropyridine (AANP) has attracted attention because of its large nonlinear susceptibility and the possibility of phase matching in the near-infrared wavelength region. To achieve high efficiency of propagation and modulation of light, it is necessary to fabricate optical waveguides of the crystal. Electron beam irradiation method is well known technique for polymer pattering in the order of nanometer. In this work we apply electron beam irradiation method to AANP single crystal to modulate refractive index of it and fabricated an optical waveguide.
High resolution gratings for the application of optical waveguide devices are fabricated using a series of photopolymers. The relief gratings were formed by the two-beam interference ablation technique using a third-harmonic generation of a Nd:YAG laser (355nm) onto polyimide and electrooptic polymer films. In polyimide films, the gratings with a period of 400nm and a depth of about 280nm were fabricated by the single-pulse irradiation. We tried to fabricate the gratings using a photoresist accompanied with wet development using an Ar+ laser (488nm). By wet development process, higher aspect and clearer periodical structure at a depth of 320nm and a period of nearly 500nm was realized. High diffraction efficiency of 55.4% was measured from the relief grating. We also replicated the grating to UV curable epoxy resin as an embossing master for the fabrication of waveguide devices.
Fabrication method of large core polymeric optical waveguides by three-time replication of anisotropically etched (110) single-crystal silicon original molds is proposed. Those replication processes consist of soft lithography, UV embossing and hot embossing. Original masters for this replication process were fabricated by anisotropic etching of (110) single-crystal silicon wafers by a strong alkali solution. The optimum conditions of anisotrophic etching are etching temperature of 60° C and the alkali solution concentration of less than 30wt%. Original masters replicated to silicone rubber molds by soft lithography. Then, using UV embossing, the silicone rubber molds replicated to an UV-curable resin for hot embossing stampers. The stampers by hot embossing replicated to rectangular groove PMMA replicas that act as undercladdings for optical waveguides. The optimum conditions of hot embossing are the heated temperature of over 130° C, the pressure of more than 50kgf and the removal temperature of less than 110° C. In this work, channel optical waveguides with 100, 300, 500 μm core size were fabricated by controlling the pattern width of silicon and etching time of silicon. Low Propagation losses of 0.30, 0.22 and 0.19dB/cm at 650nm were realized for 100, 300, and 500 μm core waveguides, respectively.
In this work simple fabrication techniques of polymeric optical waveguides and wavegiode elements toward low insertion loss are proposed and demonstrated. For single-mode propagation, light-induced self-written (LISW) optical waveguide is fabricated. For large core optical waveguide, hot-emboss technology is adopted for the formation of platform with fiber guide. Moreover, simultaneous formation of channel waveguide with 45° mirror based on the mold technology is also reported.
Thermally stable grating was fabricated with hot-embossing with the application of sol-gel derived silsesquioxane film. Planar films consisted of phenylsilsesquioxane and methylsilsesquioxane showed thermal stability with respect to the low birefringence, less than 1×10-3, and no intrinsic absorption from 400 to 1700nm for the prolonged heating at 200°C for 10hours. The refractive index of the film was controllable from 1.49 to 1.56 at 632.8nm wavelength with increasing a molar ratio of the phenyl contents from 0.3 to 1.0, where the index controllability was ±0.0005. A short embossing process, less than 15 minutes, was demonstrated. In-situ mode-line measurement for the embossed grating showed change in refractive index under heating and cooling cycle was linear and reversible. A high thermooptic coefficient (dn/dT) of the films from room temperature to 150°C, which was approximately -2×10-4 despite of its composition, was stable after subsequent nine thermal cycles. The measurement at the temperature up to 300°C showed streak propagation in the film and the prolonged heating at 150°C for 700 hours indicated no change in refractive index. This material is considered to be suitable for optical device application, since it showed the combined advantages of the both organic and inorganic materials such as embossing capability and high TO coefficient with thermal stability.
In this work simple fabrication technique of polymeric optical waveguide and its elements in polymer films based on mold technoloy is demonstrated. The large core optical waveguide, relief gratings and fiber guide were produced in polymer films using hot-emboss technique. Moreover, simultaneous formation of channel waveguide with other elements based on the present technology is also reported.
Simple fabrication technique of nonlinear optical waveguide components in polymer films based on simultaneous embossing and poling at elevated temperature (SEPET) is proposed and demonstrated. The master gratings which consist of polyimide die and metal base are fabricated by a single pulse two-beam interference technique using UV laser ablation. The master grating is found to be stable enough against heat and mold treatment cycles. The master molds nonlinear optical polymers at their Tg's. At the same time, high voltage is applied to the polymers to induce second-order nonlinearity. The grating profile as well as the nonlinearity is estimated. Moreover, formation of channel waveguide with grating based on the present process is also discussed.
Phase matched second harmonic generations (SHGs) in two kinds of poled polymer film waveguides are observed. Two kinds of dye dopants 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (MNA) and Disperse Red 1 (DR1) are used for preparations of thin film poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) waveguides. The conditions for the collinear and the Cerenkov type phase matchings are realized at the thicknesses giving the same effective refractive indices for each type.
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