Fabrication and Sensing Applications of Multilayer Polymer Optical Waveguides

Rezem, Maher; Günther, Axel; Rahlves, Maik; Roth, Bernhard; Reithmeier, Eduard

doi:10.1016/j.protcy.2016.08.064

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Figure 3 (right panel) shows examples of hot embossed cladding (top) and core waveguide structures (bottom). In addition, using thermal bonding, multi-laxer structures containing embedded and surface waveguide layers were realized, see [12]. Such structures are particularly suited for sensing as the upper waveguide layer is ideal to sense quantities of the environment whereas the embedded waveguide layer could serve as reference.…”

Section: All-polymer Multimode Optical Waveguidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards fabrication and application of polymer based photonics networks and sensors

Rahlves

Rezem

Günther

et al. 2018

MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems XVII

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Highly-functional photonic sensor networks integrated in thin polymer foils offer great potential for versatile applications in the life sciences, medicine, environmental analytics or production technology. For their realization, suitable low-cost and high-throughput production techniques need to be developed. Here, we describe work towards this goal, i.e. the fabrication of multimode polymer waveguides through a combination of thermal imprint and doctor blading. For imprint master stamp fabrication, a combined Bosch and O2 plasma etching process in silicon is utilized. We also demonstrate stamp fabrication by an additive manufacturing method, i.e. by employing maskless UV lithography, to enhance the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of our approach. We, thus, realize various all-polymer waveguide arrays, beam splitters, and grating couplers which serve as basic elements to create more complex photonic circuits. We also demonstrate polymer based transmission lines comprising semiconductor as well as organic light sources and detectors. We discuss both the integration of semiconductor light sources and detectors such as verticalcavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) and photo detectors as well as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photo detectors. In first applications, we combine these elements to create sensor arrays for measuring temperature, strain or refractive index. We show results of various sensor types utilizing different measurement principles implemented in laboratory environments so far. For example, a waveguide array containing a linear discontinuity which serves as elongation zone for displacement, strain or tilt measurement by detecting the intensity variation of the transmitted light propagating inside the structure is presented. In future, we plan to create more powerful sensor photonics networks for reliable and robust applications in real life, e.g. for point-of-care testing or production monitoring.

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Section: All-polymer Multimode Optical Waveguidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards fabrication and application of polymer based photonics networks and sensors

Rahlves

Rezem

Günther

et al. 2018

MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems XVII

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“…Besides polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and SU8, fluorinated polyimide have been a popular theme in designing optical waveguide for low transmission loss. 1,2 Several works have substantiated that replacement of C-H with C-F in polyimide reduced absorption at near infrared (NIR) telecommunication region. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Han et al worked on copolymerisation of different monomers especially in adding halogen group to improve optical properties for use as waveguide which exhibited low loss of less than 0.4 dB cm -1 at 1550 nm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis of Siloxane-polyimide Copolymer with Low Birefringence and Low Loss for Optical Waveguide

Ibrahim¹,

Ramli²,

Rusli³

et al. 2019

JPS

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Optical properties of fluorinated polysiloxane-co-polyimide (PI-ATPDMS) were investigated based on the molecular structure and compared with the pure polyimide (PI) at 1550 nm radiation. The refractive index of the copolymers was slightly reduced by 3.5% whilst the birefringence was reduced by 0.37% respectively compared to PI. They are highly transparent at near infrared (IR) region with light transmittance above 90% at visible region. An asymmetry planar waveguide was fabricated which recorded a respectable low optical loss of 0.020 dB cm -1 for pure PI and 0.042 dB cm -1 for PI-ATPDMS, respectively. The excellent optical properties displayed by these series of materials established their viable application as waveguide material at 1550 nm wavelength.

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“…Moreover polymers exhibit higher mechanical flexibility and rigidity than glass fibers. For example new production technologies like direct laser writing [2], two-photon-polymerization [3] and hot embossing [4] are currently under investigation in order to become competitive to copper based technologies concerning productivity and quality. Functional printing is another promising approach to achieve these requirements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manufacturing of polymer optical waveguides using self-assembly effect on pre-conditioned 3D-thermoformed flexible substrates

et al. 2017

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Optical data communication is increasingly interesting for many applications in industrial processes. Therefore mass production is required to meet the requested price and lot sizes. Polymer optical waveguides show great promises to comply with price requirements while providing sufficient optical quality for short range data transmission. A high efficient fabrication technology using polymer materials could be able to create the essential backbone for 3D-optical data transmission in the future. The approach for high efficient fabrication technology of micro optics described in this paper is based on a self-assembly effect of fluids on preconditioned 3D-thermoformed polymer foils. Adjusting the surface energy on certain areas on the flexible substrate by flexographic printing mechanism is presented in this paper. With this technique conditioning lines made of silicone containing UV-varnish are printed on top of the foils and create gaps with the exposed substrate material in between. Subsequent fabrication processes are selected whether the preconditioned foil is coated with acrylate containing waveguide material prior or after the thermoforming process. Due to the different surface energy this material tends to dewet from the conditioning lines. It acts like regional barriers and sets the width of the arising waveguides. With this fabrication technology it is possible to produce multiple waveguides with a single coating process. The relevant printing process parameters that affect the quality of the generated waveguides are discussed and results of the produced waveguides with width ranging from 10 to 300 µm are shown.

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Fabrication and Sensing Applications of Multilayer Polymer Optical Waveguides

Cited by 16 publications

References 11 publications

Towards fabrication and application of polymer based photonics networks and sensors

Towards fabrication and application of polymer based photonics networks and sensors

Synthesis of Siloxane-polyimide Copolymer with Low Birefringence and Low Loss for Optical Waveguide

Manufacturing of polymer optical waveguides using self-assembly effect on pre-conditioned 3D-thermoformed flexible substrates

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