Abstract
Polymeric optical waveguide technology is being developed for circuit and device applications using Poiyguide, an acrylate photopolymerlzable monomer combined with cellulose acetate butyrate and polyvinyl acetate binders. The emphasis is on creating a technology base for passive guide devices, combined with holographic diffraction gratings, capitalizing on the unique material properties and multiple processing options. The photopolymerizable formulation is cast onto 50-¡um Mylar polyester film in 30-60-cm widths with a 12- /tm protective cover layer placed on top, permitting the material to be rolled up for storage and later use. The photopolymerlzable formulation is cast in thicknesses, after final drying, of from 5 to 100 μηι. To create the waveguides, the photopolymerizable surface is directly laminated onto a pho- toi ¡Biographie mask followed by exposure to broadband 350-450-nm radiation. A permanent waveguide region of higher refractive index is ere- ated by the internal diffusion of the monomer into the exposing region. Waveguide exposure is typically 2-7 mW/cm2 and 10-100 mj/cm2. On total polymerization of the entire film with broadband radiation from 500 to 2000 mj/cm2, a waveguide region of high index of refraction remains.
© 1989 Optical Society of America
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