Abstract

Optical interconnects and other passive integrated optical circuits require a selective distribution of light among several addresses. Bragg waveguides are optical guides in which the transverse confinement is maintained by a grating rather than a step or gradual change in the refractive index. A two dimensional holographic optical circuit is achieved by surface grooves. The grooves serve as confining structures as well as selective filters. In that respect, the circuit as a whole participates in the light channeling process similarly to holograms. Polymeric devices offer flexibility in synthesis and fabrication. If the concept of the distributed holographic element prevails, one can envision stamping holographic optical circuits in plastics. We have fabricated and analyzed polymeric, Bragg confined waveguides. The core of the waveguides was made by embedding conductive crystallites in a polymeric film (artificial dielectric layer). Patterning was made by photoablation of that layer, which also proved useful in terms of the spatial resolution needed. Other patterning techniques will be discussed too.

© 1992 Optical Society of America