Insertion loss reduction in high-speed polymer electro-optic modulators using tapered waveguide, fiber tip lenses, and modification of waveguide structures

De Yu Zang; Golden Shu; Travis Downing; Weiping Lin; Choon Oh; James H. Bechtel

doi:10.1117/12.475446

14 July 2003 Insertion loss reduction in high-speed polymer electro-optic modulators using tapered waveguide, fiber tip lenses, and modification of waveguide structures

De Yu Zang, Golden Shu, Travis Downing, Weiping Lin, Choon Oh, James H. Bechtel

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4991, Organic Photonic Materials and Devices V; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.475446
Event: Integrated Optoelectronics Devices, 2003, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Optical insertion loss improvement is needed for high-speed, electrooptic polymer waveguide modulators. The insertion loss is mainly attributed to fiber end-coupling loss caused by mode mismatch between the fiber and the polymer waveguide. Three approaches of reducing end-coupling loss have been pursued: tapered waveguides, fiber tip lenses and modification of the waveguide structure. Tapered waveguides can be accomplished using Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) and shadow or gray-scale mask techniques. Experimental results have shown that the best coupling loss improvement up to 3 dB per end-coupling can be achieved by tapered waveguide. Fiber tip lens technique has been currently investigated for improving end-coupling loss. Preliminary testing results using fiber tip lenses have been encouraging showing a 1.5 - 3.5 dB improvement per end-coupling. The fiber tip lens technique provides a reliable and repeatable approach for loss reduction for high-speed polymer modulators. Modifying a highly asymmetric rib waveguide to a symmetric buried channel waveguide will greatly improve coupling efficiency.

Citation Download Citation

De Yu Zang, Golden Shu, Travis Downing, Weiping Lin, Choon Oh, and James H. Bechtel "Insertion loss reduction in high-speed polymer electro-optic modulators using tapered waveguide, fiber tip lenses, and modification of waveguide structures", Proc. SPIE 4991, Organic Photonic Materials and Devices V, (14 July 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.475446

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