Ultra‐Low‐Loss Acrylate Polymers for Planar Light Circuits

Abstract

We have developed a materials system composed of liquid multifunctional fluorinated acrylate monomers that achieves very low absorption losses within both datacom and telecom wavelength ranges. Identified structure–property relationships have guided the design of polymers that are optimized with respect to their inherent materials properties and their ability to be processed into low‐loss optical waveguides. Together these co‐developed materials and processes combine to produce waveguides that have propagation losses equivalent to planar glass guides, and significantly reduced polarization dependence and improved thermal response needed for the performance of thermo‐optic devices. Extensive environmental studies have demonstrated robustness well beyond that required for normal operating conditions.

High performance thermo-optic switches based on low-loss acrylate polymers

“…A number of researchers and companies worldwide have been active in pursuing the investigation and development of polymer-based switches. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Recent improvements in the performance of the polymers used in the construction of such switches 14 has now led to a significant further advance in the performance of polymer-based thermo-optic switches, as is described herein.…”

“…We have developed a polymer waveguide materials system, which is based on multifunctional fluorinated acrylates, 14,15 and have recently extended this class of materials to more highly fluorinated polymers, which provide propagation losses less than about 0.1 dB/cm. Waveguides are fabricated from liquid acrylate monomer formulations by direct photolithography.…”

“…Loss achieved in such waveguides can, in fact, approach a value dictated by the absorption loss entitlement of the material alone. For a specific formulation, which we call FA1, 14 waveguide loss as measured by cleave-back techniques may range from 0.18 to 0.25 dB/cm. The lower limit approximates the loss entitlement from material absorption.…”

Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of cross-linkable poly(phthalazinone ether ketone sulfone)

“…Further studies revealed that the approach of replacing hydrogen by halogen was generally easier and cheaper than that by deuterium [6]. Furthermore, halogenations, particularly fluorination, can offer interesting opportunities for the alteration of properties such as refractive index, hydrophobicity and thermal stability [3,7]. Therefore, a wide range of fluorinated polymers such as fluorinated polyacrylates [8], fluorinated polyimide [9], perfluorocyclobutane [10], fluorinated dendrimer and hyperbranched polymers [11], fluorinated poly(arylene ether)s [2,12], and polysiloxanes and inorganiceorganic hybrid polymers [13] have been synthesized and investigated for optical waveguide applications.…”

Templated biomimetic multifunctional coatings

“…20, 21 We therefore synthesize UV-curable perfluoroether acrylates, such as UV-T with molecular structure shown in Fig. 20, 21 We therefore synthesize UV-curable perfluoroether acrylates, such as UV-T with molecular structure shown in Fig.…”