SU-8 Polymer as an Optical Waveguide for Integrated Optics

Abstract

Abstract: Optical integrated circuits analogous to electronic integration have many advantages over the latter technology. As information carriers are photons (bosons) in optical circuits rather than electrons (fermions), which maximize the speed as well as due to minimum mutual interaction between photons, losses are reduced whereas the band-width increases. Silicon is most dominant material in fabrication of Electronic Integrated Circits (EICs), Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) exploits the suitable optical properties of certain polymers as well. This report comprises of the experimental work undertaken on an optical waveguides along with the relevant theoretical studies. Experimental work basically covers the study of SU-8 polymer as an optical waveguide, its characterization using monochromatic and white light sources and fabrication methods. It is also intended to experimentally study the effect of fluorination on SU-8 waveguides.

Keywords: EIC, PIC, Integrated optics, SU-8 waveguide, Optical lithography

Cite this Article: Neeharika Bakhla, Priya Laxmi, Pranabendu Gangopadhyay. SU-8 Polymer as an Optical Waveguide for Integrated Optics. Journal of Electronic Design Technology. 2019; 10(1): 20–26p.