Fabrication of polymer optical waveguides with integrated micromirrors for out-of-plane surface normal optical interconnects

Immonen, Marika; Wu, Jianbo; Kivilahti, J.K.

doi:10.1109/polytr.2004.1402762

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Gray-scale lithography 8 has a very narrow processing window, making it difficult for manufacturing. Other techniques are tilted X-ray exposure 9 and laser ablation, for which e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced pluggable out-of-plane coupling components for printed circuit board-level optical interconnections

et al. 2008

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We present an enhanced out-of-plane coupling component for Printed Circuit Board-level optical interconnections. Rather than using a standard 45• micro-mirror to turn the light path over 90• , we introduce a curvature in the mirror profile and incorporate an extra cylindrical micro-lens for beam collimation. Both modifications enable an increase in coupling efficiency and are extensively investigated using non-sequential ray tracing simulations in combination with Matlab optimization algorithms. The resulting design is fabricated using Deep Proton Writing and experimental characterization of the geometrical properties and measured coupling efficiencies are presented.

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“…Gray-scale lithography 8 has a very narrow processing window, making it difficult for manufacturing. Other techniques are tilted X-ray exposure 9 and laser ablation, for which e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced pluggable out-of-plane coupling components for printed circuit board-level optical interconnections

et al. 2008

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“…Thereby, VCSELs are assembled vertically onto the edge of a flexible EOCB. Another solution is the use of 45° mirrors ( [13], [14] and [15]). We developed a light turning element consisting of 8 mirrors ( Figure 7) with a parabolic surface [16].…”

Section: Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (Vcsels) and Photodimentioning

confidence: 99%

Design principles and realization of electro-optical circuit boards

et al. 2013

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The manufacturing of electro-optical circuit boards (EOCB) is based to a large extent on established technologies. First products with embedded polymer waveguides are currently produced in series. The range of applications within the sensor and data communication markets is growing with the increasing maturity level. EOCBs require design flows, processes and techniques similar to existing printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing and appropriate for optical signal transmission. A key aspect is the precise and automated assembly of active and passive optical components to the optical waveguides which has to be supported by the technology.The design flow is described after a short introduction into the build-up of EOCBs and the motivation for the usage of this technology within the different application fields. Basis for the design of EOCBs are the required optical signal transmission properties. Thereafter, the devices for the electro-optical conversion are chosen and the optical coupling approach is defined. Then, the planar optical elements (waveguides, splitters, couplers) are designed and simulated. This phase already requires co-design of the optical and electrical domain using novel design flows.The actual integration of an optical system into a PCB is shown in the last part. The optical layer is thereby laminated to the purely electrical PCB using a conventional PCB-lamination process to form the EOCB. The precise alignment of the various electrical and optical layers is thereby essential. Electrical vias are then generated, penetrating also the optical layer, to connect the individual electrical layers. Finally, the board has to be tested electrically and optically.

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“…al [6] integrated grating couplers with typically low coupling efficiencies. Other groups [4,8,9] work on 45° mirror devices that enable a placement of Tx/Rx modules on the surface of the PCB like conventional components. Using additional micro lenses and working with collimated beams increases coupling efficiency and positioning tolerances [10,11].…”

Section: Optical Interface For Light Coupling -A Novel Mirror Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass production of planar polymer waveguides and their applications

Betschon

Michler²,

Craiovan

et al. 2010

SPIE Proceedings

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The increasing demand for planar polymer optical waveguides integrated into electrical printed circuit boards (PCB) calls for mass production capabilities: Hence, appropriate materials, systems, assembly concepts and production technologies become vital, in order to guarantee a high reproducibility and quality of the waveguides. The manufacturing and assembly costs have to be kept on a low level, while the integration of the highly sensible waveguides into the rough environment of PCB's with their cheap and non-ideal substrates is a particular challenge.The present paper describes an assembly and manufacturing technology for electro-optical circuit boards which meets these requirements.First, the manufacturing and characterization of multimode polymer waveguides is presented and the process for layer deposition and structuring is described. Specific attention is given to the reproducibility of these processes ensuring the high optical quality of the waveguides. Additionally, some problems arising from the integration of the waveguides into the PCB's are discussed.Second, various light coupling concepts are presented. In particular, a novel mirror element based on parabolic reflectors is described. The optical design was calculated analytically and optimized using computer simulations. The mirror element was fabricated using injection molding in a reproducible manner at high quantities and lowest cost.To allow for a wider tolerance in the subsequent assembly steps our novel electro-optical transceivers concept facilitates the use of conventional SMD-placement machines for mounting which makes the process very cost effective. This concept was demonstrated successfully and is also described within the third section.In the last part the practical use of this building set is illustrated with different successfully realized applications in the field of ICT and optical sensor technology.

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Fabrication of polymer optical waveguides with integrated micromirrors for out-of-plane surface normal optical interconnects

Cited by 13 publications

References 11 publications

Enhanced pluggable out-of-plane coupling components for printed circuit board-level optical interconnections

Enhanced pluggable out-of-plane coupling components for printed circuit board-level optical interconnections

Design principles and realization of electro-optical circuit boards

Mass production of planar polymer waveguides and their applications

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