Fabrication of waveguide directional couplers using 2-photon lithography

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Two-photon lithography (2PL) allows for high-resolution 3D fabrication of optical components.
• Traditional methods for fabricating waveguide couplers face limitations in achieving complex geometries and precise alignment.
• Miniaturization of waveguide-based imaging technologies requires advanced fabrication techniques for optical components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the use of 2-photon lithography for direct printing of waveguide couplers.
• To explore the fabrication of both multi-mode and single-mode waveguide couplers with different cladding materials.
• To investigate the reproducibility and design-dependent tunability of coupling in 2PL-fabricated couplers.

Main Methods:

• Direct 3D printing of waveguide couplers using 2-photon lithography.
• Fabrication of multi-mode waveguide couplers with air cladding.
• Fabrication of single-mode waveguide couplers with uncured liquid photoresin cladding.

Main Results:

• Successful reproducible fabrication of waveguide couplers using 2-photon lithography.
• Demonstrated ability to create complex waveguide geometries with sub-micron resolution.
• Showcased tunable coupling characteristics based on selected design parameters.

Conclusions:

• Two-photon lithography is a viable technique for rapid prototyping and production of 3D optical waveguide couplers.
• The inherent system alignment in 2PL facilitates precise micron-scale waveguide geometries.
• 2PL offers a pathway for miniaturization and advancement of waveguide-based imaging technologies through custom coupler fabrication.