Abstract

The production of polymer based light guiding structures and optical interlinks with cross-sections in the micron to several 10 micron range is a key technology to realize integrated photonic circuits as well as flexible and high-functional optical sensor networks relevant for a variety of novel applications ranging from medicine and life sciences to production technologies. While production techniques for waveguides made from glass or silicon are well known processes for completely polymer based structures have not been established yet and are still under intense research. We present our recent results towards the implementation of all-polymer based distributed sensing concepts where the properties of light, such as intensity, phase or wavelength are used for sensing rather than electronic principles such that the sensor foils will operate on purely optical means for sensing, signal processing and data transmission.

© 2015 IEEE