Flexible thin-film polymer waveguides fabricated in an industrial roll-to-roll process

Appl Opt. 2013 Jul 1;52(19):4510-4. doi: 10.1364/AO.52.004510.

Abstract

The fabrication of flexible low-loss, thin-film, foil-based polymer waveguides with grating couplers employing a high-volume industrial roll-to-roll process is demonstrated. The embossed waveguides feature propagation losses of less than 1 dB/cm (633 nm, TE polarization), bending losses of 0.4-0.8 dB/360° for bending radii as small as 2 mm, and grating coupling efficiencies of up to 25%. In addition, the waveguides possess a thermo-optic coefficient of -1.58×10(-4) 1/°C. The fabricated waveguides are promising candidates for short-distance data communication as well as for sensing applications.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Equipment Design
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Normal Distribution
  • Optical Fibers
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Refractometry
  • Semiconductors

Substances

  • Polymers