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Optically formed rubbery waveguide interconnects.
Optics Letters
|November 1, 2021
Summary
Researchers created flexible, light-induced self-written waveguides (LISWs) using photopolymerization. These rubbery waveguides offer high extensibility and low optical loss for optical fiber connections.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Flexible optical interconnections are crucial for advanced photonics and optoelectronics.
- Existing waveguide fabrication methods often lack sufficient flexibility and scalability.
- Photopolymerization offers a versatile route for creating optical structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel light-induced self-written waveguides (LISWs) with enhanced elongation properties.
- To investigate the optical transmission characteristics of these flexible waveguides.
- To demonstrate the application of LISWs in flexible optical fiber interconnections.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of LISWs in a monodispersed polyisoprene solution via low-power laser photopolymerization.
- Characterization of waveguide elongation properties (400%–800% extensibility).
- Measurement of optical transmission and propagation losses (1.0–2.9 dB/mm) at visible/near-infrared wavelengths.
Main Results:
- Successfully formed LISWs exhibiting unique rubbery properties and high extensibility.
- Demonstrated significant optical transmission through highly stretched waveguides.
- Achieved stable light transmission at stressed lengths exceeding 500 µm.
Conclusions:
- LISWs fabricated from polyisoprene offer a promising solution for flexible optical interconnects.
- The rubber elasticity of LISWs allows for unprecedented strain tolerance while maintaining optical performance.
- This photopolymerization technique provides a low-loss, scalable method for creating adaptable optical components.
