A novel wavelength-division-demultiplexer with optical in-plane to surface-normal conversion

We present a novel surface normal optical wavelength-division-demultiplexer (WDDM), working at 750, 770, 790, 810, 830, and 850 nm wavelengths. The device is based on the integration of a polymer-based planar waveguide, a substrate waveguiding plate, and waveguide holograms. The unique optical in-plane to surface-normal conversion converts the difficult three spatial and three angular edge coupling problem into a planar surface one, resulting in a reliable miniaturized optoelectronic packaging containing a photodetector array and the WDDM. A six-channel wavelength-division-demultiplexer with equally spaced collinear surface-normal outputs are designed and demonstrated in a polymer-based planar waveguide in conjunction with holograms on a glass substrate.<>