Compact multimode polymer optical 1 × 2 Y splitters with large core planar waveguide

Abstract

Design, fabrication and properties of compact large core multimode optical polymer splitter is presented. Norland optical adhesive glue was used as waveguide core layers, poly(methyl methacrylate) was used for substrate and the fabricated planar splitter is connected by standard plastic optical fiber. The structure was designed by beam propagation method and Y-groove for the waveguide core layer into poly(methyl methacrylate) substrate was made by using CNC engraving and polymer core layer was hardened by applied UV light. The splitter has insertion loss 5.2 dB for 532.8 nm and 4.1 dB for 650 nm.