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Published on: November 30, 2012
Design, fabrication, and performance of preferential-order volume grating waveguide couplers
S M Schultz1, E N Glytsis, T K Gaylord
1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Microelectronics Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
Applied Optics
|March 14, 2008
Summary
Researchers developed novel volume grating waveguide couplers for efficient light outcoupling. These holographic couplers demonstrate high preferential coupling and efficiency, with a focusing version creating a precise focal line.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Holography
Background:
- Volume grating waveguide couplers are crucial for integrated optical devices.
- Efficient outcoupling of guided waves is essential for optical signal processing.
- Holographic photopolymers offer a versatile medium for creating complex optical structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, fabricate, and test nonfocusing and focusing preferential-order volume grating waveguide couplers.
- To investigate the dynamics of holographic photopolymer HRF600X001 for guided wave interaction.
- To achieve high-efficiency outcoupling of a 633-nm guided wave from a polyimide waveguide.
Main Methods:
- Holographic recording of slanted-fringe volume gratings using two 364-nm waves.
- Fabrication of volume grating waveguide couplers.
- Testing and characterization of coupler performance, including preferential coupling, spatial coupling rate, and coupling efficiency.
- Analysis of the focusing capabilities of the grating coupler.
Main Results:
- Fabricated couplers achieved a preferential coupling of 98%.
- A spatial coupling rate of 3.6 mm(-1) was recorded.
- High coupling efficiency of 95% was demonstrated.
- The focusing grating coupler successfully focused the outcoupled beam to a focal line (FWHM 10.49 microm) at 25 mm.
Conclusions:
- The developed volume grating waveguide couplers exhibit excellent performance for outcoupling guided waves.
- Holographic photopolymer HRF600X001 is a suitable material for creating efficient volume grating couplers.
- The focusing grating coupler provides precise beam focusing, enabling advanced optical applications.
