Title :
Novel polymer optical couplers based on symmetry mode mixing
Author :
Ni, Tsang-Der ; Sturzebecher, Dana ; Paolella, Arthur ; Perlman, Bany
Author_Institution :
Physical Sci. Directorate, US Army Res. Lab., Fort Monmouth, NJ, USA
Abstract :
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.<>
Keywords :
integrated optics; optical couplers; optical interconnections; optical losses; optical polymers; optical prisms; center-fed mode mixing; integrated optics; interconnect technology; microprism; mixed signal modules; multimode waveguide; optical couplers; optical design techniques; optical interconnections; output beam separation; polymer optical coupler; polymer optical couplers; space limitation; space requirement; symmetry mode mixing; wide-angle applications; Couplers; Integrated circuit interconnections; Microwave circuits; Microwave photonics; Microwave technology; Optical interconnections; Optical mixing; Optical polymers; Optical waveguides; Space technology;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
