Optical loss changes in siloxane polymer waveguides during thermal curing

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The optical loss change in siloxane polymer waveguides during isothermal curing conditions is studied for the wavelengths of 850 and 1310 nm. As a first step, the evolution of degree-of-cure is determined from differential scanning calorimetry and compared to optical absorption from spectroscopy. It is found that the optical loss due to absorption mechanisms is related to the extent of cure reactions in the polymer. Optical loss due to scattering mechanisms is related to local density fluctuations, and is studied using dielectric analysis. Optical loss measurements are conducted on both uncladded and cladded waveguides during isothermal cure, which results in certain optical loss trends. Based on the trends, the underlying mechanisms for the optical loss variations are proposed and a cure schedule to realize the lowest optical loss is suggested.

Optical loss characterization of polymer waveguides on halogen and halogen-free FR-4 substrates

“…Optical interconnects do not have frequency dependent loss and do not exhibit crosstalk between closely spaced signal lines [2]. In addition, optical waveguides allow for routing techniques that are not possible with electrical transmission lines such as direct communication line crossing with little to no interference [3].…”

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

“…[11][12][13] An early optical work of polysiloxane was performed by Flipsen et alwho obtained an optical loss of 0.98 dB m -1 at 780 nm wavelength radiation with refractive index in the range 1.475 to 1.483. 2 The incorporation of silicone into the polymer waveguide was further explored as in the work of Hegde et al 14 They studied the polysiloxane waveguide system at wavelength 850 nm and 1310 nm whose optical loss was found to be contributed by the local density fluctuation in the cured silicone during different levels of curing. Specific wavelength of interest in this work is 1550 nm, which is typical emission wavelength of datacom lasers for short link applications.…”