Design, fabrication and characterisation of nano-imprinted single mode waveguide structures for intra-chip optical communications

John Justice, Umar Khan, Tia Korhonen, Arjen Boersma, Sjoukje Wiegersma, Mikko Karppinen, Brian Corbett

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, the demands on bandwidth continually grow due to increased microprocessor performance and the need to access ever increasing amounts of stored data. The introduction of optical data transmission (e.g. glass fiber) to replace electronic transmission (e.g. copper wire) has alleviated the bandwidth issue for communications over distances greater than 10 meters, however, the need has arisen for optical data transfer over shorter distances such as those found inside computers. A possible solution for this is the use of low–cost single mode polymer based optical waveguides fabricated by direct patterning Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL). NIL has emerged as a scalable manufacturing technology capable of producing features down to the hundred nanometer scale with the potential for large scale (roll-to-roll) manufacturing. In this paper, we present results on the modeling, fabrication and characterization of single mode waveguides and optical components in low-loss ORMOCER™ materials. Single mode waveguides with a mode field diameter of 7 μm and passive structures such as bends, directional couplers and multi-mode interferometers (MMIs) suitable for use in 1550 nm optical interconnects were fabricated using wafer scale NIL processes. Process issues arising from the nano-imprint technique such as residual layers and angled sidewalls are modeled and investigated for excess loss and higher order mode excitation. Conclusions are drawn on the applicability of nano-imprinting to the fabrication of circuits for intrachip/ board-level optical interconnect.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationOptical Interconnects XV
    EditorsHenning Schröder, Ray T. Chen
    Place of PublicationBellingham
    PublisherInternational Society for Optics and Photonics SPIE
    ISBN (Print)978-1-62841-458-5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2015
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    EventSPIE OPTO, Optical Interconnects XV - San Francisco, United States
    Duration: 7 Feb 201512 Feb 2015

    Publication series

    SeriesProceedings of SPIE
    Volume9368
    ISSN0277-786X

    Conference

    ConferenceSPIE OPTO, Optical Interconnects XV
    Abbreviated titleSPIE OPTO
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Francisco
    Period7/02/1512/02/15

    Keywords

    • intra-chip
    • nanoimprint lithography
    • on-board
    • optical interconnect
    • single mode waveguide

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