Printing and preparation of integrated optical waveguides for optronic sensor networks

Wolfer, Tim; Bollgruen, Patrick; Mager, Dario; Overmeyer, Ludger; Korvink, Jan G.

doi:10.1016/j.mechatronics.2015.05.004

Cited by 46 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The application of this process to functional printing has been shown in the production of electrically conductive layers [2]. In the present work, the extension to the utilization of flexographic printing for printed optics is presented [3]. In this concept transparent fluid polymers are printed in multiple passes onto each other and thereby create a three dimensional structure.…”

Section: Polymer Waveguidesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Optical coupling of bare optoelectronic components and flexographically printed polymer waveguides in planar optronic systems

et al. 2016

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Large scale, planar optronic systems allowing spatially distributed functionalities can be well used in diverse sensor networks, such as for monitoring the environment by measuring various physical quantities in medicine or aeronautics. In these systems, mechanically flexible and optically transparent polymeric foils, e.g. polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are employed as carrier materials. A benefit of using these materials is their low cost. The optical interconnections from light sources to light transmission structures in planar optronic systems occupy a pivotal position for the sensing functions. As light sources, we employ the optoelectronic components, such as edgeemitting laser diodes, in form of bare chips, since their extremely small structures facilitate a high integration compactness and ensure sufficient system flexibility. Flexographically printed polymer optical waveguides are deployed as light guiding structures for short-distance communication in planar optronic systems. Printing processes are utilized for this generation of waveguides to achieve a cost-efficient large scale and high-throughput production. In order to attain a high-functional optronic system for sensing applications, one of the most essential prerequisites is the high coupling efficiency between the light sources and the waveguides. Therefore, in this work, we focus on the multimode polymer waveguide with a parabolic cross-section and investigate its optical coupling with the bare laser diode. We establish the geometrical model of the alignment based on the previous works on the optodic bonding of bare laser diodes and the fabrication process of polymer waveguides with consideration of various parameters, such as the beam profile of the laser diode, the employed polymer properties of the waveguides as well as the carrier substrates etc. Accordingly, the optical coupling of the bare laser diodes and the polymer waveguides was simulated. Additionally, we demonstrate optical links by adopting the aforementioned processes used for defining the simulation. We verify the feasibility of the developed processes for planar optronic systems by using an active alignment and conduct discussions for further improvements of optical alignment.

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Section: Polymer Waveguidesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Optical coupling of bare optoelectronic components and flexographically printed polymer waveguides in planar optronic systems

et al. 2016

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“…The ability to digitally pattern lines or areas of material makes inkjet printing also an attractive technique for the fabrication of channel and planar waveguides. Solvent‐containing photopolymerizable hybrid organic–inorganic inks have been used for this purpose . To avoid the soft baking steps, needed to evaporate the solvent before photopolymerization, solvent‐free inks with suitable viscosity for inkjet printing have also been formulated to prepare printed waveguides.…”

Section: Structuring Techniques For Light‐sensitive Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light to Shape the Future: From Photolithography to 4D Printing

Barrio

Sánchez‐Somolinos

2019

Advanced Optical Materials

185

147

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producing increasingly complex patterned films and miniaturized devices, which are required in modern information and communication technologies. [1] In addition to semiconductor device fabrication, a host of applications for patterned thin films and structured polymeric systems have been identified over the last two decades in areas including optics, energy harvesting, biotechnology, and medicine. [2] Our ability to structure polymeric materials has grown tremendously and the palette of materials and techniques to achieve a quick and reliable production of patterns with increasing resolution is quite extensive. This boom has been largely sustained by the development of specific photonic technologies, such as advanced light sources or spatial light modulators, photosensitive materials, and, more importantly, our growing knowledge of the interaction between light and matter. Indeed, the ability to control a chemical reaction with light in a remote fashion is a powerful concept. Light irradiation can initiate a photochemical process that otherwise would not occur at ambient conditions. This property lies at the origin of the temporal control afforded by simply turning the light source on and off. Moreover, patterned illumination or the use of focused light beams enables control of not only when, but also where a photoinduced transformation occurs. The photochemical processes occurring in many polymers and resists can be effectively manipulated by fine-tuning the intensity and frequency of light. However, these are just two of the primary properties of light, and there are specific photoresponsive systems that enable the generation of ordered structures by adjusting the polarization of light, in addition to intensity and frequency.In this review, an overview of photochemical reactions, photosensitive polymers, and light-based structuring techniques is provided. As this field is too broad to be covered in depth in one single article, some recent examples and applications, as well as emerging opportunities and trends, are highlighted throughout the discussion. Section 2 is focused on light-induced reactions and photosensitive materials. The fundamentals of photochemical reactions and their implementation in polymer science have been overviewed in many excellent books and reviews. [3] In Section 2, rather than being comprehensive, emphasis is given to those photochemical processes lying at the basis of those structuring techniques that are later discussed in Section 3. Some of these techniques, including conventional mask lithographies, interference lithographies, direct laser writing (DLW) with one-or two-photon processes, or stereolithographic techniques, make use of light as a structuring tool.There is an additional group of techniques where light is employed to set a structure created beforehand through a Over the last few decades, the demand of polymeric structures with welldefined features of different size, dimension, and functionality has increased from various application areas, including microelectronics, ...

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“…An additional UV-curing step has to be made before preparation. The end face preparation is done using a very simple method described by Wolfer et al [9]. The waveguides are cracked manually leading to the smooth structure of the fractured face, which can be seen in Figure 3.…”

Section: Fabricationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The future of short-range high-speed data transmission: printed polymer optical waveguides (POW) innovation, fabrication, and challenges

Reitberger

Stoll

Hoffmann³

et al. 2018

Optics and Photonics for Information Processing XII

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One of today's megatrends in the industrial environment is additive manufacturing. Faster prototyping, customized products like hearing devices, integrated functions like heatsinks and many other opportunities are offered by this technological development. The opportunity of using different materials and build up 3-D structures is virtually infinite. Another one is the digitalization of almost any product to build up a smart world. This trend leads to a tremendously rising amount of data to be transferred from one place to another. If a wireless transmission is not possible and if the distance is over 100 m glass fiber is the fastest and most secure way for these requirements. In case of most short-range applications up to 100 m primary copper cables or circuit paths are in use because the electrical data transfer is well known. The limited bandwidth of copper asks for new inventions to meet the demands of tomorrow. Regarding both megatrends, the solution for this upcoming bottleneck could be 3-D printed photonic packages. This paper shows a new and innovative way for the customized fabricating of short-range data transmission networks. By Aerosol Jet Printing (AJP) the so called polymer optical waveguides (POW), it is possible to build up 3-D printed light guiding structures with low attenuation on almost any three-dimensional surface. The main advantages of the here presented research are high flexibility, low weight and low costs. After three years of intensive studies the most important key facts (machine settings, geometry, performance) are summarized in this publication.

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Printing and preparation of integrated optical waveguides for optronic sensor networks

Cited by 46 publications

References 20 publications

Optical coupling of bare optoelectronic components and flexographically printed polymer waveguides in planar optronic systems

Optical coupling of bare optoelectronic components and flexographically printed polymer waveguides in planar optronic systems

Light to Shape the Future: From Photolithography to 4D Printing

The future of short-range high-speed data transmission: printed polymer optical waveguides (POW) innovation, fabrication, and challenges

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