Optical Trajectory Manipulations Using the Self-Written Waveguide Technique

Abstract

This study is novel for several reasons: We used a thin drop cast layer of dry photosensitive materials to study the behaviors of wet photopolymer media using microscopic distances during the Self-Written Waveguide (SWW) process; then, we examined the self-trajectories formed inside the solid material. The results provide a framework for theoretical and experimental examinations by handling the effects of manipulating the alignment of fibers. The other main advantage of these techniques is their lightweight, easy to process, highly flexible, and ultimately low-cost nature. First, the SWW process in wet photopolymer media (liquid solutions) was examined under three cases: single-, counter-, and co-fiber exposure. Then, the SWWs formed inside the solid material were examined along with the effects of manipulating the alignment of the fibers. In all cases, high precision measurements were used to position the fiber optic cables (FOCs) before exposure using a microscope. The self-writing process was indirectly monitored by observing (imaging) the light emerging from the side of the material sample during SWW formation. In this way, we examined the optical waveguide trajectories formed in Acrylamide/Polyvinyl Alcohol (AA/PVA), a photopolymer material (sensitized at 532 nm). First, the transmission of light by this material is characterized. Then, the bending and merging of the waveguides that occur are investigated. The predictions of our model are shown to qualitatively agree with the observed trajectories. The largest index changes taking place at any time during exposure, i.e., during SWW formation, are shown to take place at the positions where the largest exposure light intensity is present. Typically, such maxima exist close to the input face. The first maximum is referred to as the location of the Primary Eye. Other local maxima also appear further along the SWW and are referred to as Secondary Eyes, i.e., eyes deeper within the material.

All‐Solid Near‐Infrared Light‐Induced Self‐Written Optical Waveguides and Optical Self‐Coupling

“…Furthermore, it can be used to fabricate a self-aligned polymer optical waveguide by applying the light emitted from the optical components to the photopolymerizing resin. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] For silicon photonics devices, inexpensive and efficient coupling can be realized by passive alignment with an accuracy of a few microns and subsequent LISW optical self-coupling. [16,17] We previously reported the LISW optical self-coupling between a silicon waveguide with a spot-size converter and SMF.…”

Miniaturized thin-film filters to connect multiple self-written waveguides

“…The unique properties of this interconnection also enables thermal sensing by monitoring the transmitted optical power [24,25]. It is also possible to connect multiple components directly with each other, which was realized so far only using structures with a single splitter combining multiple laser beams [12,26]. Another investigated approach with regard to communication purposes was to build a polymer waveguide module for wavelength division multiplexing based on a thin-film filter [27,28].…”

Editorial for the Special Issue “Polymeric and Polymer Nanocomposite Materials for Photonic Applications”

“…J. T. Sheridan et al present a novel study using a thin drop cast layer of dry photosensitive materials to study the behaviors of wet photopolymer media using microscopic distances during the Self-Written Waveguide (SWW) process [ 7 ]. Three examples were studied: single-beam, counter-beam, and co-beam illumination.…”

“…The first order diffraction efficiency was electrically tuned, and the maximum first-order diffraction efficiency as high as~12.5% was obtained with the applied external voltage of 5 V. By properly adjusting the applied voltage, a polarization state of a diffracted signal in this grating could be controlled electrically. J. T. Sheridan et al present a novel study using a thin drop cast layer of dry photosensitive materials to study the behaviors of wet photopolymer media using microscopic distances during the Self-Written Waveguide (SWW) process [7]. Three examples were studied: single-beam, counter-beam, and co-beam illumination.…”