Planar waveguide microlenses for nonblocking photonic switches and optical interconnects

Alexei L. Glebov; Lidu Huang; Michael Lee; Shigenori Aoki; Kishio Yokouchi

doi:10.1117/12.545180

8 September 2004 Planar waveguide microlenses for nonblocking photonic switches and optical interconnects

Alexei L. Glebov, Lidu Huang, Michael Lee, Shigenori Aoki, Kishio Yokouchi

Proceedings Volume 5453, Micro-Optics, VCSELs, and Photonic Interconnects; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.545180
Event: Photonics Europe, 2004, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Different types of planar waveguide microlenses are fabricated with PLC technologies from a variety of optical materials such as silica, photo-definable epoxy resins, and a number of other optical polymers. Hybrid microlenses are also fabricated in which the base of the lens, with a double concave gap, is formed from silica and the gap is filled with an optical polymer. The optimized lens structures provide the maximum coupling efficiencies between the input and output channels at distances up to 100 mm with a minimum channel pitch of 0.5-0.7 mm. Experimental and theoretical studies provide results on collimation and focusing properties of single and double microlenses made of silica, polymer, and silica/polymer. The evaluation of the temperature and wavelength effects on the collimation characteristics of the lenses demonstrate that the single lenses are more stable and, thus, more suitable for operations under varying conditions. Examples of the planar waveguide microlens applications are presented. In one application the microlens arrays are integrated in fast electrooptic photonic switching modules. In the other application the microlenses are embedded in the backplanes with nonblocking optical interconnects.

Citation Download Citation

Alexei L. Glebov, Lidu Huang, Michael Lee, Shigenori Aoki, and Kishio Yokouchi "Planar waveguide microlenses for nonblocking photonic switches and optical interconnects", Proc. SPIE 5453, Micro-Optics, VCSELs, and Photonic Interconnects, (8 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.545180

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