Serially grafted polymer optical waveguides fabricated by light-induced self-written waveguide technique.

ABSTRACT

Serially grafted polymer optical waveguides were fabricated by the light-induced self-written (LISW) waveguide technique for the first time to our knowledge. To realize functional waveguide cores by the LISW technique, transparent materials at the writing wavelength were selected. By inserting thin transparent partitions, a serial-graft structure consisting of passive and active waveguides without any misalignment was realized automatically. This technique is advantageous for its extremely easy process over conventional fabrication techniques.