POLYMERIC OPTOCHIPS - SPLITTERS, SWITCHES AND MODULATORS

A number of organic (non)linear polymers have been used to make planar integrated optical components. Various types of passive and active polymeric guided wave devices were made in a multilayer of polymers with different refractive indices, deposited onto a substrate. Lateral confinement of the (channel) waveguides was obtained via photobleaching, applying masks containing the desired waveguide layout. The electro-optic effect was induced via electric field poling. The device thus made showed switching voltages in the range 5-10 V at a wavelength of 1330 nm, together with extinction ratios in excess of 20 dB. For the passive devices, waveguide propagation losses of around 0.4 dB cm(-1) were observed; for switching devices, values were around 1 dB cm(-1). An important feature is the stability of these polymeric devices; this issue is discussed briefly.