Circular large core optical elastomer waveguides fabricated by using direct microdispense fabrication method

Abstract

The direct microdispensing method used for the fabrication of the optical polymer waveguides was demonstrated. The applied method allowed fabricated optical channel waveguides with circular shapes. Optical polydimethylsiloxane elastomers used for the core and cladding layer allowed fabricated optical flexible waveguides with high temperature and chemical stability. The dimensions of the waveguides were optimized for the dimension of the optical fiber with a core diameter of 500 µm. The applied materials allowed transmitted light for visible and near-infrared spectrums. The average values of the optical losses were lower than − 0.42 dB/cm at 650 nm, − 0.40 dB/cm at 850 nm, − 0.5 dB/cm at 1300 nm and − 2.06 dB/cm at 1550 nm.