Fan-in/out polymer optical waveguide for a multicore fiber fabricated using the mosquito method

Area of Science:

• Polymer optics
• Optical waveguide fabrication
• Fiber optics

Background:

• Multimode multicore fibers (MCFs) require efficient interfacing solutions.
• Fan-in/out structures are crucial for connecting MCFs to other fiber configurations like fiber ribbons.
• Existing fabrication methods may have limitations in creating complex waveguide geometries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a fan-in/out polymer optical waveguide for MCF applications.
• To investigate the feasibility of the Mosquito method for creating 3D graded-index cores.
• To evaluate the performance, specifically insertion loss, of the fabricated waveguide.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a microdispenser for fabricating a polymer optical waveguide.
• Designed a fan-in/out structure compatible with the Mosquito method.
• Employed the Mosquito method for three-dimensional drawing of circular graded-index cores.
• Experimentally fabricated a 10-cm long, seven-core fan-in/out waveguide.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated a 10-cm long, seven-core fan-in/out polymer optical waveguide.
• Achieved a minimum insertion loss of 5.26 dB at an 850-nm wavelength.
• Observed variations in insertion loss and interchannel pitch, which were analyzed.

Conclusions:

• The Mosquito method is suitable for fabricating 3D graded-index cores in fan-in/out polymer optical waveguides.
• The fabricated waveguide demonstrates potential for interfacing multimode multicore fibers with fiber ribbons.
• Further analysis is needed to optimize fabrication for reduced insertion loss and precise pitch control.