Light coupling for integrated optical waveguide-based sensors

Michael A. Steindorfer; Bernhard Lamprecht; Volker Schmidt; Tobias Abel; Torsten Mayr; Joachim R. Krenn

doi:10.1117/12.854163

13 May 2010 Light coupling for integrated optical waveguide-based sensors

Michael A. Steindorfer, Bernhard Lamprecht, Volker Schmidt, Tobias Abel, Torsten Mayr, Joachim R. Krenn

Proceedings Volume 7726, Optical Sensing and Detection; 77261S (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.854163
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2010, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

The performance of an optical sensor device working on the basis of integrated waveguides relies on the efficient coupling of light into and out of the waveguide. Conventional coupling methods are based on the usage of optical components such as prisms or gratings. An alternative approach utilizes fluorescent molecules inside the core material of the waveguide, and thereby avoids complex and time consuming alignment procedures. In that context the application of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) enables the effective separation of excitation and emission light due to a large effective Stokes shift and accordingly small re-absorption of the dye molecules. Within the framework of the presented work, fluorescent molecules are used to couple light into a PDMS/polystyrene waveguide system. The dye molecules are optically characterized and embedded into the waveguide system. It is demonstrated that the position of the molecules relative to the waveguide influences the amount of light coupled into the system. The efficient coupling of light out of the waveguide is important to guide the light to a detecting device for directly measuring the optical throughput through the system. Two basic out coupling principles have been applied, end-face coupling and out coupling at scattering layers. The system has also been examined by means of ray tracing simulations, which reveal the influence of various system parameters such as the position of the dye molecules in the waveguide core and optical properties of the materials.

Citation Download Citation

Michael A. Steindorfer, Bernhard Lamprecht, Volker Schmidt, Tobias Abel, Torsten Mayr, and Joachim R. Krenn "Light coupling for integrated optical waveguide-based sensors", Proc. SPIE 7726, Optical Sensing and Detection, 77261S (13 May 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.854163

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available