Fast ethernet operation of a printed optical transmission path using industrial integration technologies

Evertz, Andreas; Reitz, Birger; Olsen, Ejvind; Wetzel, U; Ghane-Mothlagh, Rayhane; Sengünes, Inanc; Döhrmann, S.; Seyfried, Moritz; Oppermann, Arndt; Tolle, Nils; Overmeyer, Ludger

doi:10.1117/12.2609554

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Fundamental limitation to application is still the optical contacting and coupling of the waveguides. Since the waveguides obtain large diameters, coupling tolerances, which can be fulfilled by electronic assembly machines, are the result [4,38,39]. Finally, advanced applications such as sensors are within the realm of possibility.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a second printing step, waveguide cores are generated on top of the lower cladding (see figure 3.2). Here, multiple coatings are applied to each other to generate the desired height of 70 µm [4]. In previous research, up to 30 coatings were applied to PMMA to achieve heights of about 50-80 µm.…”

Section: Printing and Integration Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, rotative printing processes serve high production volumes on planar substrates. Previous research showed that flexo-printed waveguides could showcase data rates higher than 1.25 Gbit s −1 and obtain cross-sections large enough to match conventional electronic assembly processes [4][5][6][7]. In this work, we want to introduce the printed EOCB (PEOCB), whereas, in addition to electronic copper traces, optical transmission traces are additively printed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Flexo-printed polymer waveguides for integration in electro-optical circuit boards

Evertz,

Pleuß,

Reitz

et al. 2024

Flex. Print. Electron.

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Electro-optical circuit boards (EOCBs) offer great potential for short-ranged data transmission in highly electro-magnetic inflicted environments. Finding a cost-efficient way to manufacture EOCB only using additive printing processes could establish, increase, and secure data transmission in PCB systems. Flexo printing is an efficient manufacturing process that combines high contour resolution and layout flexibility to create optical waveguides. Previous research has shown that printing waveguides on a polymethylmethacrylate substrate can enable optical data transmission for up to 20 cm. However, a thermo-resistant polyimide (PI) substrate is needed to integrate printed waveguides into PCB. Since PI does not meet optical demands, waveguide cores must be separated by printed optical cladding. This research aims to investigate the additive printing process, which stacks various polymers to achieve waveguides that are ready for integration. Further, the integration in PCB is validated according to functional testing of the optical structures. An entire manufacturing process for printed EOCB is presented, which enables the investigation of optical coupling processes in upcoming research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Printing and Integration Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Flexo-printed polymer waveguides for integration in electro-optical circuit boards

Evertz,

Pleuß,

Reitz

et al. 2024

Flex. Print. Electron.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Predominant waveguide manufacturing technologies on PCB level are lithographically implemented in polymers [2][3][4] or glass-based by changing the refractive index with ion exchange [5][6][7][8]. These technologies can achieve low optical transmission losses; however, such technologies struggle with application challenges such as optical coupling, electro-optical alignment, packaging, thermal stability and mechanical requirements of PCBs [9][10][11]. In previous research, printed optical waveguides showcased the ability to be highly cost-efficient due to their purely additive characteristic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rotative printing processes for polymer waveguide manufacturing

Evertz,

Fütterer,

Fritze

et al. 2023

Optifab 2023

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Integrated multimode optical waveguides in glass using laser induced deep etching

Reitz,

Evertz,

Basten

et al. 2024

Appl. Opt.

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Glass is an ideal material for optical applications, even though only a few micromachining technologies for material ablation are available. These microstructuring methods are limited regarding precision and freedom of design. A micromachining process for glass is laser induced deep etching (LIDE). Without generating micro-cracks, introducing stress, or other damages, it can precisely machine many types of glass. This work uses LIDE to subtractive manufacture structures in glass carrier substrates. Due to its transmission characteristics and refractive index, the glass substrate serves as optical cladding for polymer waveguides. In this paper, the described fabrication process can be divided into two sub-steps. The doctor blade technique and subsequent additive process step is used in manufacturing cavities with U-shaped cross-sections in glass in order to fill the trenches with liquid optical polymers, which are globally UV-cured. Based on the higher refractive index of the polymer, it enables optical waveguiding in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range. This novel, to the best of our knoowledge, manufacturing method is called LDB (LIDE-doctor-blade); it can be the missing link between long-distance transmissions and on-chip solutions on the packaging level. For validation, optical waveguides are examined regarding their geometrical dimensions, surface roughness, and waveguiding ability, such as intensity distribution and length-dependent attenuation.

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Fast ethernet operation of a printed optical transmission path using industrial integration technologies

Cited by 3 publications

References 7 publications

Flexo-printed polymer waveguides for integration in electro-optical circuit boards

Flexo-printed polymer waveguides for integration in electro-optical circuit boards

Rotative printing processes for polymer waveguide manufacturing

Integrated multimode optical waveguides in glass using laser induced deep etching

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